Nehru gives first call to drop Cong tie-up for civic polls

Addressing a massive demonstration of protesters over drinking water organised by the DMK as part of a statewide stir, Nehru, also DMK’s district secretary, said, the DMK-led front that contested in the Lok Sabha polls could claim almost all seats successfully but Congress leaders like Yuvaraj and Mayura Jayakumar continue to criticise the party, hence affecting the coalition.

“We worked for A Chellakumar who had strongly criricised our party president. We also made him successful for ‘Koottani Dharmam’, the sweat is ours but victory is theirs (Congress),” Nehru said. “A Congress functionary has claimed to get 35 wards in south Chennai. Another wants 50 seats elsewhere. If this is their mindset, what will be left for DMK workers? “Where will we go? Should we stand on the road?” he asked. Hence “I am telling our president; to be of proper use to the people, it will be better for us to face the local body elections alone.” Stating that the party cadre is dissatisfied with working for candidates belonging to the alliance, the Tiruchy district party stalwart asked how long could the party be “palanquin bearers.” He, however, made it clear that this was his own view and not that of the party and added that he would abide by any decision of the DMK chief. Delving into the Congress-DMK ties in the past, Nehru recalled that some from the national party used to criticise them and the party-led government even when they were allies.

Final call by top brass

Later, Nehru told reporters that he had only expressed his thoughts after seeing news reports of Congress functionaries demanding more seats.

Congress leader Jayakumar has been propagating to contest in more number of seats in both the assembly and local body polls. Udayanidhi Stalin who visited Tiruchy to thank the voters also said he wanted the DMK to contest in more number of seatsin any election.

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Claiming that everything was well between the DMK and the Congress, KS Alagiri, president, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, said on Saturday that the Congress -DMK coalition of Secular Progressive Front would continue to make good and steady progress. While speaking to reporters here, Alagiri said the Congress has planned a conference with representatives of local bodies from southern districts either in Madurai or in Tirunelveli on June 14. The agenda of the meeting would be to discuss key strategies on the upcoming local body elections and alignment with coalition parties for the same. He also took a dig at the AIADMK resorting to special prayers for rainfall in Tamil Nadu.More on P6