Chidambaram converts forum into party

By S. Vydhianathan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 16. The former Union Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, who formed the Tamil Maanila Congress Democratic Forum immediately after his exit from the TMC along with his followers, converted it into a political party at its general council meeting here today. The party has been named Congress Jananayaga Peravai (CJP).

Talking to newspersons, Mr. Chidambaram said he and his followers had launched the new party as they felt that there was a vacuum in Tamil Nadu and it was high time that it was filled with a new political party.

The basic principles of his party would be patriotism, secularism, humanism, egalitarian society and probity in public life. It would work for establishing good governance in the country in general and Tamil Nadu in particular.

Appealing to ``disgruntled'' youth, who were ``frustrated'' with the present state of affairs, to join the new party for creating a new chapter in politics, Mr. Chidambaram said it welcomed any one who subscribed to the basic principles. While it would have an electoral understanding with parties having similar views, the CJP would never compromise on its basic principles.

The first acid test for the party, he said, would be the local bodies poll which it decided to contest along with the DMK. It would form a committee to initiate seat negotiations.

Mr. Chidambaram made it clear that the party would have only electoral understanding with the DMK and that it was not a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance. He had already explained his party's position to the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi.

Mr. Chidambaram was earlier elected general secretary of the party at its first general council meeting.

Addressing the council, he expressed his apprehensions over economy. While the Centre was ``inactive,'' the State Government was least bothered about issues concerning the people.

``Here we have a Chief Minister, who has not stirred out of Chennai in the last three and a half months.'' While the Karnataka Chief Minister rushed to Delhi to explain his State's position on the Cauvery issue, the Chief Minister here had not bothered to explain the State's claim to the Prime Minister.'' The people alone had to be blamed for the current state of affairs, Mr. Chidambaram said.

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