Chennai, Aug. 7: It may be a party out of power for 43 years, one that has never organised agitations for the public good nor conducted roadshows to highlight people’s plight. Yet, the Congress is the most sought-after bride for the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu next year.
For the first time in years, Congressmen in Dravidian land seem upbeat. The indications given by partymen are loud and clear: It wants to increase its seats in the alliance and become a partner of the coalition.
While the ruling DMK and its archrival AIADMK are vying with each other to woo the party, the state Congress leaders, impressed by the campaigns of the Nehru scion, Mr Rahul Gandhi, want a coalition government and ministerial berths for their leaders. They are hoping that the Rahul magic will work in the countryside.
The ruling DMK is hoping that the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi’s special rapport with the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, will protect the alliance despite discordant statements from state Congress leaders like Mr E.V.K.S. Elangovan. The AIADMK has been sending strong signals that it is willing to join hands with the Congress to end the 10-year DMK reign.
A section of Congressmen time and again speaks about their dream to see the “golden rule” of Kamaraj in the state.
“Of course, bringing back Kamaraj rule is the aim of Congressmen in the state. But it is not an easy task. We first aim to get more seats this time and try to be part of the coalition arrangement. Then we can move further by proving our mettle as ministers,” says Mr Karti Chidambaram, the son of the Union home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram.
The Congress won 36 seats in 2006 out of 48 seats in the company of the DMK in the 234-seat Assembly.
Now, while Mr Elangovan pitches for of half of the 234 seats for the Congress, Mr Karti Chidambaram pegs the demand at 78, or two segments in each of the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies.