Chennai: Congress MP S Jothimani on Friday alleged “massive irregularities” in the allocation of constituencies and selection of candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held on April 23, triggering fresh controversy within the Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress party.
Jothimani claimed that constituencies were allegedly sought and allocated to suit candidates who had already been selected in advance. She accused party leaders of compromising the interests of workers and conducting the selection in a “highly secretive manner.”
The Karur MP said there was no transparency in the seat-sharing and candidate selection process within the party as part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. According to her, repeated demands for discussions and openness in deciding constituencies were not taken into account by those in charge.
Jothimani also expressed concern over what she described as the sidelining of long-time party workers. She alleged that individuals who had not contributed to the party’s growth were being favoured in the allocation of seats.
Her remarks come amid heightened political activity following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which saw a fractured verdict and significant shifts in the state’s political landscape.
The allegations have also drawn reactions from political rivals. BJP spokesperson C R Kesavan accused the Congress of being in “total disarray” in Tamil Nadu and said the public criticism reflected deep divisions within the party.
Jothimani had earlier indicated that she would speak in greater detail after the official list of constituencies and candidates was announced, warning that the party could face serious consequences if the same approach continued.
