CALM BEFORE STORM: TNCC president G K. Vasan arriving at the venue of a workshop at B. Mutlur near Chidambaram on Wednesday. — Photo: By Special Arrangement

CUDDALORE: Factionalism in the Congress came to the fore here on Wednesday when party leaders and cadres belonging to two groups clashed in the presence of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president G.K. Vasan.

The partymen manhandled photographers and damaged their cameras. AICC member A.S. Alagiri and Cuddalore north district president Nedunchezhian exchanged blows on the dais. Mr. Nedunchezhian's shirt was torn.

The trouble started soon after Mr. Vasan stepped into K.C.R. Kalayana Mandapam at B. Mutlur near Chidambaram, where a two-day workshop of the Tamilaga Desiya Vivasayigal Thozhilalargal Sangham was under way.

When Mr. Alagiri took the mike, a group jeered at him, while another group raised slogans in praise of Nedunchezhian, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Vasan.

Soon some of them jumped into the fray and it was free for all for some time. The cadres came threw chairs, pulled down the shamiana and broke tube lights.

Scores of partymen were injured. The photographers became the target for both the groups; at least three cameras were damaged.

INTUC president (Cuddalore and Villupuram) R. Nallusamy and A.J. Sivakumar, president, Tamil Nadu Rahul Gandhi Thalami Peravai, said outsiders seemed to have fomented the trouble to disrupt the workshop.

All through, Mr. Vasan stayed on the dais with a resolve to conduct the workshop. Later, he said the incident was a disgrace to the party.

If the cadres did not close ranks and work in unison, efforts to bring back "Kamaraj rule" in the State would remain a dream. They should sink their differences and work united for the Assembly election.

Regretting the incident, Mr. Vasan told presspersons that he always held the Press in high esteem.

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