Supporters of TNCC President EVKS Elangovan, who resigned from the post for the party's poor show in May 16 Assembly elections, today demanded withdrawal of his resignation.
High drama prevailed outside his Manapakkam residence here when one of the supporters tried self-immolation by pouring kerosene on him.
However, other Congress workers prevented him from going ahead as they snatched away the container and threw it away.
About 40 TNCC district secretaries loyal to the former Union Minister met him and held consultations where they demanded withdrawal of his resignation, senior leaders said.
N Rangabashyam, District Secretary, North Chennai, said that the supporters had sought withdrawal of his resignation, adding, "We are confident he will continue as TNCC President."
He also denied reports that the office-bearers bearing loyalty to Elangovan, planned to quit enmasse.
Elangovan had submitted his resignation on June 15, owning moral responsibility to the party's poor show in the May 16 Assembly polls, where it had joined hands with former ally DMK.
Congress had won just eight out of th 41 seats it had contested.
However, the Congress high command has so far not accepted Elangovan's resignation so far.
V R Sivaraman (Kancheepuram North) said that Elangovan had not offered to quit 'under pressure' but had taken moral responsibility for the poor show in election.
The supporters said that Elangovan had asked them to cooperate with any new leader who could replace him as TNCC President and work for the party's good show in the coming local body polls.
