In a factionalism-ridden party, Vasanthakumar was a leader who did not belong to any camp. Nonetheless, the businessman-politician had the uncanny knack of getting his wish fulfilled by the party high command. Neither Congress interim-president Sonia Gandhi nor former president Rahul Gandhi had any qualms about obliging him, let alone the second rung national leaders deputed to manage the affairs in each state. His candidature in 2019 Lok Sabha election is a case in point.

“He was a serving MLA when he sought MP ticket. The high command obliged him not because there was a dearth of candidates. A couple of equally resourceful businessmen Congressmen had also lobbied for Kanniyakumari. One of them was even backed by a former TNCC president. Nonetheless, he managed to get the LS ticket. And succeeded,” said a TNCC senior. “Not only did he convince AICC. Even DMK did not have any problem with him forfeiting a MLA seat for LS ticket. He was cordial with AIADMK too,” said a TNCC senior on condition of anonymity before recalling a “business meeting” of Vasanthakumar with an AIADMK top brass early this year.

Another reason for his significant success was his loyalty and rapport with the party workers. Vasanthakumar was the only leader who had put a decent show (apart from Karti Chidambaram in Sivangangai who had also secured his election deposit) when the Congress had gone it alone in 2014 Parliamentary election. “Though he had contested in a Congress stronghold, his ability to give the then victorious candidate Pon Radhakrishnan a run for his money in 2014 had impressed the who’s who of Congress in Delhi. He was also one of the go to guys in Congress whenever the party had to organise something big. Big or small, he always gave his bit to the party workers. That quality had helped him remain likeable for many. Not all leaders in TNCC do it,” said the TNCC senior.