Congress gears up for Tamil Nadu polls, forms key election panels

As political momentum builds ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu , the Indian National Congress has begun activating its organisational machinery by setting up several key election committees to steer the party’s campaign in the state. The move signals early strategic preparations as the party aims to strengthen its role within the ruling alliance.

The formation of these committees was approved by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who cleared the proposal to establish multiple state-level panels responsible for election strategy, campaign planning, manifesto drafting and media outreach.

At the core of the structure is a 37-member Pradesh Election Committee , which will guide the party’s overall electoral preparations and decisions related to candidates and campaign direction. The committee will be chaired by K Selvaperunthagai, with S Rajeshkumar serving as vice chairman. Senior leaders including P. Chidambaram, Manickam Tagore, A. Chellakumar, Sasikanth Senthil and Vijay Vasanth are among its members. In addition, frontal organisation chiefs and AICC office-bearers will also participate in the committee.

To coordinate campaigning on the ground, the party has formed a Campaign Committee headed by A. Chellakumar, with S. Jothimani as vice chairperson. The panel includes 51 members and several permanent invitees who will oversee rallies, public meetings and voter outreach programmes.

The Election Manifesto Committee , which will frame the party’s promises and policy commitments to voters, will be chaired by Karti Chidambaram, with Raj Kumar as vice chairman. The committee comprises 26 members , including S. Jothimani, Vijay Vasanth and Sasikanth Senthil.

Another important body, the Election Management and Coordination Committee , will be headed by Manickam Tagore and will focus on organisational coordination and election strategy .

The party has also created a 73-member Publicity and Media Management Committee , chaired by Vijay Vasanth, to handle media outreach and communication during the campaign.

For the elections, the Congress will contest as part of the alliance led by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Under the seat-sharing arrangement, the DMK has allocated 28 Assembly seats to Congress, while allies such as the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Vaiko have received four seats. The Indian Union Muslim League and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi have been allotted two seats each .

With polling in Tamil Nadu expected in April, likely between the second and third weeks , the formation of these committees marks the Congress’ first major organisational push as the state prepares for an important electoral contest.