The Hindu : We have not given up Pondy: Congress

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 26, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

We have not given up Pondy: Congress

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 25. The Congress has not ``let go of'' the Pondicherry Lok Sabha seat and is continuing ``negotiations'' with allies for reallotment of the constituency, given to the Pattali Makkal Katchi in the Democratic Progressive Alliance, the All-India Congress Committee secretary, Daljit Singh, said today.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which heads the DPA in Tamil Nadu, allotted the Pondicherry seat, now held by the Congress, to the PMK.

While the PMK leader, S.Ramadoss, had declared that Pondicherry was a ``closed chapter, Mr.Daljit Singh told the media here that the party was continuing negotiations with its alliance partners.

Asked whether the Congress had reconciled itself to relinquishing the seat, Mr.Daljit Singh said: ``we have not let go of Pondicherry.'' When it was pointed out that Pondicherry was a traditional Congress stronghold, he said, ``it continues to be our stronghold.''

Asked whether the Congress would field a ``rebel candidate'', Mr.Daljit Singh said there was no question of the party resorting to such a strategy. The Congress was part of the DPA and it would either contest or not contest the seat.

The stalemate over Pondicherry would not have an impact on the alliance in Tamil Nadu, he insisted.

To persistent queries whether the Congress would delink Pondicherry from the seat-sharing arrangement, he merely said the party would take a decision soon.

The candidates for the 10 Congress in Tamil Nadu would be finalised by the parliamentary board within the next two or three days.

``It is Rahul's decision''

Addressing the press conference, Sachin Pilot, youth Congress leader and son of the late Rajesh Pilot, former Union Minister, said the party would give adequate representation to youngsters in the elections. ``The Congress has made up its mind to give the youth representation.''

Would Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadera contest the elections? ``It is for them to decide.'' While it was good for the Congress if youngsters joined the party, it was for the two children of Rajiv Gandhi to decide on taking the plunge into politics.

Asked whether he planned to contest, Mr. Sachin Pilot said a decision had to be taken by the high command.

Disagreeing with the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson, Najma Heptuallah, who charged that the high command was not respecting senior party leaders, Mr.Pilot said, ``I respect Najmaji, but her view is not acceptable.''

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