Chidambaram hints Cong should be part of govt in Tamil Nadu

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today hinted that Congress in Tamil Nadu wanted to be a partner in the next government saying the party should play a role in implementation of various UPA programmes and projects in the state.

"I don't say Congress alone should implement the central programmes in Tamil Nadu. I only say please give us an opportunity to be a part in the government after the next elections," Chidambaram said.

Congress is supporting the DMK government in Tamil Nadu from outside. Assembly elections are due in the state next year. Addressing a meeting organized as part of 125th anniversary celebrations of the party here, in which Congress President Sonia Gandhi was also present, Chidambaram began his speech with a plea to Gandhi to understand the feelings of the Congressmen in the state. Congress workers in Tamil Nadu should be given an opportunity to implement the UPA programmes in the state like in Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

The Congress President should understand the feelings of crores of party volunteers, he said. The party had been strengthened with 13 lakh youths joining the party due to the intervention of Rahul Gandhi. With former Union Minister Thirunavukarasar joining the party, it has got strengthened further, he said.

Recalling the earlier tours of Sonia Gandhi when she had accompanied Rajiv Gandhi and G K Moopanar, he said Tamil Nadu once again reposed its faith in Congress. Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan pointed to the huge crowd that thronged the ground and said "it (Congress) is now the deciding force of victory or defeat of any party. From this position, it should reach the top spot in Tamil Nadu and help the state become prosperous in a strong India. "

Thirunavukarasar, former union minister, and his supporters, who joined Congress at the rally, said he expected that the next government in Tamil Nadu would be a coalition government with Congress as partner. And in subsequent elections,Congress would be able to form government independently, he claimed.