Congress workers angry over raw deal to party in seat-sharing

Chennai: The factionalism and strife in the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) was on public display yesterday morning.

A number of irate party workers surrounded party president M. Krishnaswamy and K.C. Lenka, Chairman OBC, All India Congress Committee, during a press conference at their party office in Chennai.

The slogan shouting party workers accused Krishnaswamy of corruption and favouritism.

The rowdy scenes and mayhem continued for more than 15 minutes before the workers dispersed.

One Congress party worker bitterly attacked the state leadership for settling for just one seat from their Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) partner Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the prestigious constituency of Chennai.

"There are 14 constituencies in Chennai. We were expecting four seats but we got just one. Is Congress reduced to this?" he said.

Another Congress worker, S.M. Hidayathullah was livid for not being allowed to contest from the Ramnath constituency.

"They have given the ticket to a rank newcomer, Hassan Ali. It is all about money power, whoever pays the highest amount, gets a ticket in the Congress," said Hidayathullah.

Another Congress party worker was incensed about the lack of a leader and co-ordination for the party workers helping the DMK candidate at the Villipuram constituency.