TMC cadres hungry for power

By Our Special Correspondent

SALEM, APRIL 14. At the Tamil Maanila Congress convention here tomorrow, the common party worker expects a clear stand to be taken on the alliance for the coming Assembly elections.

The convention is being held to mark the beginning of the fifth year of the party. While the state executive committee would meet in the forenoon, a public meeting is scheduled for the evening. The entire top brass of the party including the president, Mr. G. K. Moopanar, former union ministers, Mr. P. Chidambaram, Mr. S. R. Balasubramaniam and Mrs. Jayanthi Natarajan, are expected to participate.

Some of the grassroot level workers with whom this correspondent interacted are quite emphatic that there should be no more dilly- dallying on the issue of alliance as the elections were not far away. ``We are now quite mentally prepared for the alliance with the AIADMK as we feel it is high time that our party got a share in power''.

They resent the fact that most of the TMC members have not been able to enjoy the `spoils of power' for more than three decades. In addition, the party suffered serious electoral reverses recently. ``Our cadre is definitely beginning to feel the impact of these reverses and hence are quite lethargic. Only power- sharing could prove the real tonic which is quite likely if we join hands with the AIADMK''.

They feel that the AIADMK is in no position to ignore TMC at the present juncture. ``Neither are we. After snapping our ties with the DMK and targeting the State Government day in and day out, it would be definitely impossible for us to go back to the DMK fold. If we play our cards well, we should be able to get a share in the pie''.

They admit that the ``third front'' experiment of the party in the last Lok Sabha elections has been a ``total failure''. Hence it would be prudent to join hands with the AIADMK. ``This is forced upon us by the history and we at the workers' level have started working quite cohesively with the AIADMK cadre''.

Of course, they concede, some ``second-line'' leaders might still be averse to this proposal and would like to build bridges with the DMK.

`Poor show in Pondy'

They also allege that even the handling of the Pondicherry situation by the high command has not been impressive. ``The present decision of withdrawing from the DMK Ministry and later joining the Congress(I) Ministry could have been taken long ago as soon it was decided to snap the ties with the DMK in Tamil Nadu. What is the necessity for so much confusion which has been sending wrong signals to the rank and file''.

They feel that merger with the Congress(I) at this would moment deal a serious blow to the morale of the cadre, which has been standing by the party supremo, Mr. G. K. Moopanar, through thick and thin.

His affinity to the Nehru family should not cloud his judgment and ``if we are to merge with the Congress(I) now, once again we will become just a speck in the ocean and continue to be ignored, the very reason why we came out of that party expressing solidarity with Mr. Moopanar''.

They also expect further revamping of the party in order to make it structurally more effective. Similarly, they want strict disciplinary action against ``some of the self-professed leaders acting against the party line''.

For instance, they point out that while the party has been acting in unison with the AIADMK at the state and the district-level, it is altogether a different story in the Salem Corporation Council, where some of the TMC councillors are ``more loyal to the DMK than to the party''.

They are also happy to note that the former Union Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, who is said to have been unhappy regarding the party's ``closeness'' to the AIADMK, has confirmed his participation in the convention.

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