Congress's Manickam Tagore Quits Key Tamil Nadu Poll Role Over Seat Allocation Row

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has resigned as chairman of the party’s Tamil Nadu election management and coordination committee amid differences over seat allocation, triggering fresh discussions within the party as it negotiates electoral arrangements with its allies in the state.

His resignation came against the backdrop of ongoing deliberations over the distribution of constituencies, an issue that often becomes a point of friction during alliance talks.

The Tamil Nadu election management and coordination committee plays a crucial role in overseeing campaign strategy, coordinating with alliance partners and ensuring smooth implementation of poll-related planning.

Meanwhile, it was known that the Congress top leadership had spoken to Tagore and

urged him not to step down, signalling efforts to resolve the matter internally and prevent disruption to the party’s election preparations in Tamil Nadu.

When asked about reports claiming he had resigned, Tagore appeared to question the development.

“Who said that I resigned?” he told news agency ANI when asked about the reports regarding his stepping down as chairman of the Tamil Nadu election management and coordination committee.

#WATCH | Delhi: “Who said that I resigned?” says Congress MP Manickam Tagore when asked about reports of his resignation as chairman of the party’s Tamil Nadu election management and coordination committee pic.twitter.com/Jvddi4GCfE

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2026

The development comes at a time when seat-sharing negotiations are underway, with alliance dynamics playing a key role in shaping electoral strategy in the southern state.

Differences over the allocation of constituencies are not uncommon in coalition politics, particularly when multiple parties seek a favourable share of seats.

TAGORE FLAGS TIMING OF CAPF BILL, QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT

Separately, Manickam Tagore criticised the timing of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, which is scheduled to be taken up in the Lok Sabha after being passed in the Rajya Sabha.

In a post on X, Tagore alleged that the government listed the Bill on a day when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Assam for pre-planned election rallies, thereby limiting the opportunity for debate in Parliament.

“The government’s desperation is now out in the open. A crucial Bill affecting the rights and dignity of our CAPF personnel is being hurried into the Lok Sabha–timed exactly when the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to be in Assam for pre-planned election rallies,” Tagore wrote.

He said the rallies had been announced well in advance and preparations had already been completed, questioning the urgency behind the legislative move.

“Why this rush? Why avoid a full and fair debate? Why deny the Leader of the Opposition the opportunity to speak on an issue impacting our ‘jawans’? This is not a coincidence. This is calculated parliamentary management,” he said.

Raising concerns over the provisions of the Bill, Tagore claimed the proposed legislation could override judicial directions and impact fairness within the Central Armed Police Forces structure.

“This Bill already raises serious constitutional concerns, overriding court judgments, denying fairness to CAPF officers, and weakening institutional balance. And now, it is being pushed through when scrutiny is deliberately minimised. India deserves better. Our forces deserve fairness. Parliament deserves honesty. Don’t silence debate. Don’t sidestep democracy,” the post read.

The CAPF Bill provides for fifty per cent of posts in the rank of Inspector General to be filled by deputation, a minimum of sixty-seven per cent of posts in the rank of Additional Director General to be filled through deputation, and all posts in the ranks of Special Director General and Director General to be filled entirely through deputation.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha amid a walkout by Opposition MPs, who argued that the provisions go against a 2025 Supreme Court judgment which recommended progressively reducing deputation posts in CAPFs up to the Senior Administrative Grade within a defined time period.

Responding to concerns raised by the Opposition, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Bill aims to strengthen the security system and resolve inconsistencies in service rules, cadre management and appointment-related issues to boost efficiency and morale of the forces.