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Journalism of Courage
CHENNAI, AUG 17: The Tamil Maanila Congress TMC-led front today acquired final shape with the inclusion of the Pudhiya Tamizhagam PT, a Dalit-based organisation, after a week-long suspense. The front also includes Indian Union Muslim League IUML, Janata Dal Secular, the Republican Party of India RPI.
Addressing a press conference along with Tamil Maanila Congress president G K Moopanar, a PT leader said that for the first time since 1967, a non-Dravidian alternative was offered to the electorate. TMC president Moopanar would lead the front that would take on both DMK and AIADMK combines in the State, he declared.
Moopanar averred that there was no rift between the TMC and PT. Theseat-sharing arrangement has been finalised. The PT would field its candidates from Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Periyakulam, Pudukottai and Nilgiris. Other seats for the PT would be decided by evening, he said. The Ramanathapuram seat, which the TMC wanted, has been given to the PT.
The PT played an important role in constructing the TMC-led front and the aspirations of Dalits were reflected in the TMC manifesto, Moopanar said.
It would be a common minimum programme with the allies when the TMC aimed at capturing power in the State. However, the main plank of the TMC-led front for the ensuing Lok Sabha poll would be anti-communalism and anti-corruption, Moopanar said.
On the issue of persons of foreign origin holding high offices, Moopanar retorted: why did the National Democratic Alliance NDA take it up only now? Their sudden obsession with persons of foreign origin had another motive, he said.
Asked about the NDA manifesto suggesting a moratorium on contentious issues, senior TMC leaderand former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said it meant that the BJP would take up the issues8211; Ram temple at Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and common civil code8211; later. The issues constituted the hidden agenda of the BJP, he charged.
Excepting the PT, which will contest the elections under its cart8217; symbol, other allies 8212; Viduthalai Siruthaigal, IUML and RPI 8212; will contest on the Cycle8217; symbol of the TMC.
