CHENNAI: The alliance between the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will continue for elections to local bodies and thereafter, M. Veerappa Moily, Congress Working Committee member and in-charge of Tamil Nadu unit of the party, said on Sunday.

Claiming that his party had established a "close relationship" with the DMK, Mr. Moily said that both would work closely at the national and State levels.

He was addressing a meeting organised to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. DMK deputy general secretary and Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin was present.

Mr. Moily praised the DMK president and Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, for his administrative skills. Exhorting the Congress volunteers to strive to strengthen the party, he said, "A weak Congress party" could not be a source of strength to the DMK or the Democratic Progressive Alliance. He cautioned the party members, "Do not think we can draw [strength] from other parties. The Congress should have a healthy bank balance. The bank account I mean is the mandate of the people and goodwill of the people of Tamil Nadu."

Referring to Mr Karunanidhi's statement in the Assembly on Saturday, recalling Rajiv Gandhi's efforts to solve the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, Mr Moily said that had Rajiv Gandhi been alive, "the problem of Tamils in Sri Lanka would have been solved."

M. Krishnasswamy, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, said Rajiv Gandhi emphasised the development of science and technology and rural development.

The United Progressive Alliance Government was working for the welfare of the State. Central Ministers hailing from the State were contributing to the development in different sectors such as road, shipping, telecommunications and health.

Mr. Stalin said Rajiv Gandhi was responsible for lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years. The DMK Government, led by Mr Karunanidhi, would make his dreams a reality.

Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G.K.Vasan spoke.

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