Congress high command backs demand for share in power in T.N., say TNCC leaders

The demand for “share in power” in the next State government has become the rallying point for the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leaders and its cadre for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

While its leaders have repeatedly said they want the alliance with the ruling DMK to continue as that would mean keeping the anti-BJP front intact and strengthening Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s position, the cadre are reportedly expressing their displeasure at being treated with disrespect by the DMK district office-bearers and the relationship has turned sour.

The determination of the Congressmen to stick to their guns this time around is largely owing to the emergence of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founded by actor Vijay as a viable “third front”. The All India Professionals’ Congress president, Praveen Chakravarty, who has met with the TVK leader leading to the speculation of a possible alliance, said the demand for a share in power was not “unreasonable”.

“These demands have been in public for many months now. Our All-India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge Girish Chodankar posed ‘which political party will say no to power?’. The demand is quite categorical. There is a logic to it. When Congress has been part of coalition governments in Jharkhand (now), Bihar and Maharashtra (earlier) and the DMK has been a part of the government in Delhi (in the past)…I don’t see why this is being seen as unreasonable,” he contended.

Asked if the Congress leaders in New Delhi could step in to resolve the impasse as it has happened in the past, he said, “I don’t know what has happened in the past. As far as the party is concerned, everything that we are demanding is fair and just and everyone in the Congress party from the top to the ground cadre realises that this is very important to rebuild the party after letting it languish for 60 years.”

Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K.S. Alagiri said the Congress high command also recognised the need for share in power even as he recognised the close relationship that Congress’ leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi shared with Mr. Stalin.

“One month ago, AICC in-charge Girish Chodankarji communicated the party’s demands on share in power and the number of seats. The ball is now in DMK’s court. The DMK hasn’t officially responded to our demands. The Congress wants to be with the DMK. Chief Minister Stalin has been steadfast in his opposition to the BJP and the RSS. However, a share in power is necessary for the Congress to grow in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Mr. Alagiri believes the Congress leadership will back these demands. “Previously, only the cadre demanded a share in power. Now, the AICC national in-charge, TNCC president, CLP leader have officially communicated the demands to the DMK.”

Agreeing that the final call will be made by the Congress national leadership, a MP also underlined that Mr. Chodankar is an “idealistic and an honest man” whose words are taken seriously by the Gandhis.

“Mr. Chodankar is an idealistic guy and he will do the job he has been entrusted with…in all sincerity. The AICC thinks about the larger good for the party and the nation. Yes, they will think about the parliament elections in 2029, but that doesn’t mean that the opinions of the local leaders won’t matter. They are always taken into confidence.”