Party leader takes along different characters for Tamil festival (6)

I believe the answer is:

pongal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'characters for tamil festival' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'party leader takes along different' is the wordplay.
'party leader' becomes 'p' (I've seen this in other clues).
'takes' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'different' is an anagram indicator.
'along' is an anagram of 'ongal'.
'p'+'ongal'='PONGAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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