Rajenthra Bhalaji must apologise, take back his statements about Congress: Selvaperunthagai

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Saturday criticized AIADMK leader KT Rajenthra Bhalaji for saying that the Congress party should be dissolved and said Mr. Bhalaji should be careful with his speeches as he does not know the history of the Congress. Mr. Selvaperunthagai demanded that Mr. Balajhi apologize and ‘take back’ his remarks.

In a statement to the media, the TNCC chief said the senior leadership of the AIADMK should have reprimanded Mr. Bhalaji for his comments.

“What is the history of AIADMK? They have faced many losses in 53 years. Congress is a 140-year-old party. It is the people’s party. How can Congress talk about the party and its leader Rahul Gandhi? How many seats did you win in the 1996 Assembly elections? It should answer this,” he said.

Mr. Selavperunthagai said the Congress had never claimed to be a pioneer in capturing power in Bihar.

“Rashtriya Janata Dal is the largest party in Bihar. We never said that we were ahead. In 1996, Jayalalithaa lost both the constituencies from which she contested. Did the Congress ask the AIADMK to dissolve the party? That is the difference between the caliber of the AIADMK and the Congress. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami should have reprimanded her. Such people are given party posts.”

Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the Congress remains the ruling party in Karnataka and Telangana.