Congress worker attempts suicide in Salem over Rahul Gandhi quit row

Salem: The controversy over Rahul Gandhi resigning his post as Congress President following the party's debacle at the all-India level in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, took an ugly turn here on Wednesday as a senior Congress functionary attempted suicide before Salem collectorate.

The Salem town Congress vice-president Pachapatti Palanisamy, dismayed over Rahul Gandhi being reportedly firm on relinquishing his post despite the Congress Working Committee rejecting his resignation offer, to press his point that Rahul Gandhi should not resign, doused himself with kerosene and attempted to set fire to himself. However, policemen on duty near the collectorate foiled his attempt.

Pachapatti Palanisamy was taken to the Salem town police station and was being interrogated. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, talking to reporters he said there was no need for Rahul Gandhi to resign as AICC president. But if the latter still persisted with his stand, it would lead to a big conflagration with 'true Congress workers' similarly wanting to commit suicide, Palanisamy said and urged Rahul Gandhi to reverse his decision. The incident sent shockwaves across Salem.