Chennai, September 10: The Congress high command may not insist on participating in the State government until 2011, according to indications from the party’s general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who also promised to protect Tamil interests across the world.
The State has seen occasional political drama with Congress legislators seeking a share in the State government in return for their continued support to DMK. So far, DMK has managed to thwart these demands with the Congress high command not pressuring the DMK over the issue.
Some attendees said that DMK and AIADMK were using Congress during elections since 1977, but had failed to give any benefits after coming to power. Replying to a query on power sharing in the State, he said that several things required consideration and added that the 2011 State Assembly election results would give an indication in this regard.
When asked about Lankan Tamils he said, “Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and I will act, not only when Lankan Tamils are affected but when Tamils anywhere in the world are affected.”
Later in the day, Rahul told Students of Christian Medical College in Vellore, reservations in education institutions would disappear eventually when more quality institutions are built.
He encouraged the students to join politics saying that politics was a flowing river and hence could withstand contamination unlike stagnant lake water.
When students addressed him ‘Rahulji’ he charmed them saying, “No Rahulji, just call me Rahul.” Many of the students had adoring impressions after the session, among which were, “Rahul Gandhi is truly inspiring, he has the capabilities to emerge as the next Prime Minister, if I get a chance to vote it would be for him only, we would love to sit longer with him.”
–Agencies