evil send_message in TC sends in active jid. so you need to set_active_tab before sending message. I put that as a comment in both places

src/config.py

@@ -1809,7 +1809,7 @@ class ManageEmoticonsWindow:
 		if not iter:
 			return
 		file = model.get_value(iter, 1)
-		dialog = gtk.FileChooserDialog(_('Choose Ιmage'), None,
+		dialog = gtk.FileChooserDialog(_('Choose Image'), None,
 					gtk.FILE_CHOOSER_ACTION_OPEN,
 					(gtk.STOCK_CANCEL, gtk.RESPONSE_CANCEL,
 					gtk.STOCK_OPEN, gtk.RESPONSE_OK))

src/groupchat_window.py

@@ -688,9 +688,12 @@ class GroupchatWindow(chat.Chat):
 			u = Contact(jid = fjid, name =  nick, groups = ['none'], show = show,
 				sub = 'none')
 			self.plugin.roster.new_chat(u, self.account)
+		
+		#make active here in case we need to send a message
+		self.plugin.windows[self.account]['chats'][fjid].set_active_tab(fjid)
+
 		if msg:
 			self.plugin.windows[self.account]['chats'][fjid].send_message(msg)
-		self.plugin.windows[self.account]['chats'][fjid].set_active_tab(fjid)
 		self.plugin.windows[self.account]['chats'][fjid].window.present()
 
 	def on_voice_checkmenuitem_activate(self, widget, room_jid, nick):

src/tabbed_chat_window.py

@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ class TabbedChatWindow(chat.Chat):
 				return True # override the default gtk+ thing for ctrl+down
 
 	def send_message(self, message):
-		"""Send the message given in the args"""
+		"""Send the message given to the active tab"""
 		if not message:
 			return
 		jid = self.get_active_jid()