Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Posts won't pose problems in merger: Elangovan

By Our Staff Reporter

Coimbatore June 21. Party posts will not play spoilsport in the merger between the Tamil Maanila Congress and the Congress and ``suitable persons will be honoured with suitable posts'', the TNCC president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, told reporters here today.

In the talks held for finalising the modalities of the merger, the TMC had not laid down any condition on posts, nor had the Congress any reservations about the issue.

``Who should lead the combined Congress in Tamil Nadu would be decided by the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi''.

Dismissing reports that the issue of sharing posts was the reason for putting off the merger date to August 1, he said both sides had to get the ratification of their general councils. The modalities were being finalised and the venue would shortly be announced by the TMC chief, G.K. Vasan.

Weaning away youth

The Congress had not taken an anti-AIADMK or anti-ruling party stance as was perceived, Mr. Elangovan said. ``Instead, it is trying to oppose the Dravidian parties and liberate the people from them''. The Congress was trying to wean away youngsters from the influence of these parties, which had failed to take the State on a progressive path during the last 35 years of their ``misrule''.

To a query on the lavish expenditure incurred on the visit of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, to Tirupur yesterday, Mr. Elangovan said it was her style of functioning.

Reacting to her tirade in justification of the one-man, one-post law, he said none was opposed to the legislation. The point in dispute was the timing and motive. It should have been enacted before local bodies elections were held.

To a query on cases against the Nakkeeran editor, R.R. Gopal, Mr.Elangovan said it was a clear case of ``political vendetta''. The Jayalalitha Government was trying to settle scores with journalists, politicians and bureaucrats opposed to it. The AIADMK Government acted ``contrary to the conventions'', pleading for the transfer of State Election Commissioner, Mritunjay Sarangi, just because he had recommended a repoll after the May 31 byelection in the Saidapet Assembly constituency.

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