End of the road for Cong-DMK?

Rahul Gandhi not visiting M Karunanidhi yesterday has angered DMK members who are already upset over Cong's tough stand on A Raja

The barbs are out and the swords are drawn. The Congress and the DMK seem to be on the brink of a break-up. At least that's what was evident yesterday, when Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi came to Chennai on a two-day trip. And in the middle of this war of words is former telecom minister A Raja, the DMK leader accused in the notorious 2G scam.


Mommy's orders? DMK insiders say that Rahul's move was prompted
by Congress president Sonia Gandhi's tough stand in the concluded AICC
plenary

Going against the DMK's expectations, Rahul did not meet the party patriarch and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. This seems to have ruffled a lot of feathers.

Wrong signals
"He could have at least paid a courtesy visit. The two parties are coalition partners at the Centre. This has sent out wrong signals, and with assembly polls expected early next year, things might take a turn for the worse," said a DMK leader.

Asked about visiting Karunanidhi, Rahul retorted, "I am here to meet members and office bearers of the Youth Congress."

In the meantime, Madras University denied Rahul access to its auditorium for his meeting with Youth Congress members. This forced him to hold the event at the city's outskirts. Members of the Youth Congress called the move politically motivated.

As if adding insult to DMK's injury, Rahul told Youth Congress members, "The day is not far when you will have a leader from the Youth Congress as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu."

Meanwhile, the DMK's dissent was obvious when Karunandhi called upon party workers to support Raja. The party leaders are now planning to organise rallies to show their solidarity towards the tainted former minister.

According to DMK insiders, this move was prompted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi's tough stand in the concluded AICC plenary. Senior Congress leaders have been urging the high command to break ties with DMK and go it alone in the next assembly polls.

T R Thangkabalu, state Congress president said, "Following the Raja debacle, there is a strong feeling among the party rank and file that we should distance ourselves from the DMK. We have to take a stand in the near future."

Be cautious!
However, not all Congress leaders are in favour of this approach. Senior Congress leaders from the state, including Union home minister P Chidambaram, have advised the high command to exercise caution.

Raja, who got a brief breather because of Rahul's visit, is expected to be questioned by the CBI within two days. He and Nira Radia, a high-profile lobbyist, were served notices on Monday.