The Congress is keeping up the suspense on the issue of alliances in poll-bound Tamil Nadu and Puducherry despite party leaders from the two southern states holding elaborate consultations with party
The Congress is keeping up the suspense on the issue of alliances in poll-bound Tamil Nadu and Puducherry despite party leaders from the two southern states holding elaborate consultations with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on electoral strategy.
While it is likely to go alone in Assam, it will reach out to “like-minded parties” and ensure that the BJP does not take advantage of a division of votes. This means that anti-BJP parties would give a call for tactical voting.
As far as the West Bengal polls are concerned, the Congress’ line of a pre-poll alliance or going alone could become clear in the next couple of months.
On alliances in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik said: “Whenever any decision is taken, we will let you know.” He was responding to a host of questions from reporters on the issue here on Friday.
Two days ago, Mr Gandhi had held deliberations with leaders from Tamil Nadu on the strategy to be adopted in the poll-bound state where the issue of forging an alliance holds the key to the prospects of the party.
A section in the party believes that the high command will opt for an alliance with the DMK and other like-minded parties, like the DMDK, in the state ruled by the AIADMK.
Only last month, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi had said that the Congress will be invited to join the alliance led by his party for the coming Assembly elections.
Mr Karunanidhi’s statement had come nearly three years after he snapped ties with the Congress. The Congress has been out of power in Tamil Nadu for nearly five decades and has generally been aligning with either of the Dravidian parties — DMK or AIADMK. Sometimes, it has contested alone, but without much success.
Reports said that some leaders from Tamil Nadu had utilised the opportunity to press for their demand for the removal of PCC chief E.V.K.S. Elangovan.
The AICC has given signals that the decision on the issue of alliances will be taken keeping in mind the aim of checking the ruling BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the view of the state units on tieups in their areas.
The other day, senior leaders of the Puducherry PCC apprised Mr Gandhi about the developments in the Union Territory.
AICC general secretary and former Union minister of state V. Narayanasamy, Leader of the Opposition V. Vaithilingam and PPCC president A Namassivayam met Mr Gandhi.
A senior leader, who declined to be identified, said that these were still early days to decide on the alliance issue in the two southern states as rival sides have been making attempts at poaching.
