The sudden belligerence of a resurgent Congress ahead of the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu indicates a well-calculated strategy to get its share of the pie it lost 43 years ago to the Dravidian parties.
Even while taking serious note of the tone and tenor of the Congress of late, the ruling DMK dismisses it as an attempt by the national ally to get more seats. But Congress sources say that the party high command is keen to get its share of power at Fort St George. “The DMK is enjoying ministerial berths in New Delhi. Why not we aspire to become ministers here as we are supporting it as an ally?” asks a senior legislator.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s carefully-worded statement at Tiruchy rally that the Congress should become the future of Tamil Nadu is a strong hint that the party would engage in a tough bargain in seat-sharing and compel the DMK to agree for a coalition in the state. “We want that the party lead an alliance comprising parties like the DMDK, PMK and other small outfits and provide an alternative to the DMK and AIADMK,” says a former minister. If the DMK refuses to heed the Congress’ demand, Mrs Gandhi may project Union home minister P. Chidambaram as the chief ministerial candidate to woo the middle-class voters. Late Rajiv Gandhi campaigned for G.K. Moopanar as CM candidate in the 1989 elections, which saw a four-cornered contest, but the attempt could not succeed.
However, DMK sources maintain that the alliance would continue as Mrs Gandhi realises the critical importance of the DMK at the Centre. “Nothing has happened. It’s natural for any party to aspire to win more seats and power. Our leader Kalaignar knows how to deal with it,” said a senior DMK functionary.