Sonia meets senior Tamil Nadu Congressmen after Vasan's exit

Days after Tamil Nadu strongman G. K. Vasan's exit from the party, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday held a meeting with senior Congressmen from the state, including former finance minister P. Chidambaram.

Tamil Nadu Congress chief E.V.K.S. Elangovan after the meeting denied reports of a split in the party.

"All leaders will work together to strengthen the party. It is not a split at all, just a few individuals have left the party," he said.

Vasan had earlier on Monday formally quit the party, saying he wanted to give the state a political alternative.

Chidambaram's son Karti had later candidly admitted that Vasan's departure from the party is a blow for the Congress.

According to reports, Vasan has hinted at starting a new party. The name of his new party will be decided in a public meeting in Trichy in the coming days.

B.S. Gnanadesikan, a loyalist of Vasan, had earlier tendered his resignation as the Tamil Nadu Congress chief. He had accused the Congress leadership in Delhi of failing to consult the state branch on important issues.