Amid massive support from his die-hard cadres in Tamil Nadu, expelled Congress leader and former Union Minister G K Vasan on Friday revived his father's Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) with the promise of establishing Kamaraj rule in the State.
Vasan's move is a replay of the 1996 episode when his father G K Moopanar floated TMC after quitting Congress in protest against its decision to ally with the unpopular All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by Jayalalitha in the 1996 elections. Stating that his new party will protect the interests and rights of the minorities, the poor and the downtrodden, Vasan said "development of youth and women will also get special attention".
After releasing his party’s “cycle” symbol, Vasan told the huge gathering at Trichy, “Our party would strive for a bright future for Tamil Nadu and this meeting will be a turning point.”
“Our path will be difficult and it will have several challenges. Therefore, we have to strive hard to achieve our goal,” he said. Coming down heavily on Congress, Vasan said the national party did not recognise the hard work of its leaders and cadres. “Because of that, the cadre and people have lost faith in the party,” Vasan said.
“Hereafter you need not wait for a decision to be taken by leaders in Delhi,” Vasan, in an apparent reference to the Congress’ high command culture, said.
