The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “State will see a unified Congress”

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Monday, Jul 28, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“State will see a unified Congress”

Special Correspondent

Party will explain to people benefits of nuclear deal: Thankgabalu

Power shortage is not restricted to Tamil Nadu
Centre helping the State to overcome it

COIMBATORE: The Congress will launch a unified effort within the party to explain to the people of the State the benefits of the Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement and the schemes implemented by the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, according to K.V. Thankgabalu, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president.

“You will see a new Congress,” he told reporters here on Sunday to questions on faction feud in the party. Asserting that the Congress had always been united despite groupism, Mr. Thankgabalu said the party would now embark on a massive effort at going to the people ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He, however, denied that the unity efforts were election-oriented.

“This unity will be permanent and we will not allow anyone to create differences within the party.”

Union Ministers, Members of Parliament and legislators from the Congress and also frontline office-bearers would work out ways to explain the benefits of the government’s programmes to the people and to increase the party’s vote share in the State.

Asked about the equations the party would have with the Left parties, he said it was up to them to decide whether they would oppose communal forces or not.

“It is obvious now what problems happen in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States,” he said, referring to serial blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

On the oft-expressed desire of the Congress to bring back Kamaraj rule in the State, the TNCC president said the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was already providing it. As for the State, the programmes being implemented by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government reflected the ideals of Kamaraj.

Power shortage was not restricted to Tamil Nadu. Many parts of the country faced it and the Centre was also helping the State government to overcome it.

Asked whether the Congress would make efforts for a patch-up between the DMK and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, he said: “We want all secular parties to remain together. Congress will take all parties along with it.”

There were still 10 months to go for the Lok Sabha elections. Friends might join again, he said.

On the Congress’ plans to come to power in the State, he said the party leadership knew what to do and the State unit would do what it said.

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