The Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK) is headed for another split, the fourth since it was launched.
Even as KMK leaders were busy with backdoor negotiations to strike an alliance for the coming assembly elections , party state general secretary Kangeyam M Thangavel announced that he would launch a new outfit. "The name and flag of the party would be unveiled at Odanilai in Erode district on March 27," he said.
Though KMK functionaries downplayed the significance of Thangavel's move and maintain that the split will not affect the parent party, the rift among the Kongu leaders is all too obvious.
Thangavel said he was forced to launch the new party as he was upset with the manner in which KMK president 'Best' Ramasamy was running the party.
"He is not accessible to the cadres and leaders of the party," Thangavel alleged. He said neither he nor other functionaries were consulted before taking major decisions that would impact the growth of the KMK.
'Best' Ramasamy was not available for comments.
The first split in the KMK came in 2013, four years after the party tested political waters in the 2009 assembly elections. E R Easwaran launched the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi. Barely a year later, the KMK's then general secretary G K Nagaraj parted ways and launched the Kongunadu Jananayaga Katchi.
Thangavel said his party would be different from the other Kongu parties more in functioning than in ideals. "We will fight for the rights of farmers and the welfare of people of the Kongu region. But what is more important is the way we function. We will always be with the people, fighting for their rights on the streets rather than paying lip service," he said.
Thangavel said he was yet to decide on allying with other parties, but would contest in 30 seats in the coming elections.
Political observers say Thangavel's influence is restricted to Kangeyam and a few parts of Erode district, and would not have a major impact on other western districts.
Even as KMK leaders were busy with backdoor negotiations to strike an alliance for the coming assembly elections , party state general secretary Kangeyam M Thangavel announced that he would launch a new outfit. "The name and flag of the party would be unveiled at Odanilai in Erode district on March 27," he said.
Though KMK functionaries downplayed the significance of Thangavel's move and maintain that the split will not affect the parent party, the rift among the Kongu leaders is all too obvious.
Thangavel said he was forced to launch the new party as he was upset with the manner in which KMK president 'Best' Ramasamy was running the party.
"He is not accessible to the cadres and leaders of the party," Thangavel alleged. He said neither he nor other functionaries were consulted before taking major decisions that would impact the growth of the KMK.
'Best' Ramasamy was not available for comments.
The first split in the KMK came in 2013, four years after the party tested political waters in the 2009 assembly elections. E R Easwaran launched the Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi. Barely a year later, the KMK's then general secretary G K Nagaraj parted ways and launched the Kongunadu Jananayaga Katchi.
Thangavel said his party would be different from the other Kongu parties more in functioning than in ideals. "We will fight for the rights of farmers and the welfare of people of the Kongu region. But what is more important is the way we function. We will always be with the people, fighting for their rights on the streets rather than paying lip service," he said.
Thangavel said he was yet to decide on allying with other parties, but would contest in 30 seats in the coming elections.
Political observers say Thangavel's influence is restricted to Kangeyam and a few parts of Erode district, and would not have a major impact on other western districts.