CHENNAI: Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G.K.Vasan has expressed confidence that the Democratic Progressive Alliance, after sweeping the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, will score a hat-trick, winning a majority of the seats in the local body polls.

He told reporters here on Wednesday that a conducive atmosphere was prevailing in the State with the United Progressive Alliance Government's welfare programmes beginning to bear fruit. With a DPA Government ruling the State, there was no obstacle to implementation of welfare programmes initiated by the Centre.

The DPA's plank in the local body elections, Mr.Vasan said, would be development of panchayats by allotting adequate funds. The Centre, through its "Bharat Nirman" programme, wanted to provide facilities available in urban centres to rural areas. This would be possible only if the administration of local bodies was vested with parties whose policies and programme were in tune with that of State and Central Governments.

Condemning the alleged auctioning of the panchayat president's post in some villages Mr. Vasan it was not good for democracy. Only democratically elected leaders could deliver. Those who purchased the post would not have people's interest in mind.

When reporters told him that some DPA constituents had decided to go it alone in some Corporations and municipalities, Mr.Vasan said there would be some minor irritants in forging alliance at the municipality level. These would be sorted out.

Asked to comment on Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss' claim that R.Anbumani would become the Chief Minister of the State in 2011, Mr.Vasan said every ruling party, national or regional, would like to become number one. The Congress wanted to establish Kamaraj rule in the State.

Mr.Vasan said youth and women would get due share in the local body elections. The selection of Congress candidates would satisfy all cadres.

On the Mullaperiyar issue, he expressed the hope that it would be amicably settled to the benefit of farmers in the State.

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