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Moopanar rules out TMC's merger with Congress

Tamil Maanila Congress president G K Moopanar today ruled out the TMC's merger with the Congress, but favoured closer coordination between the two parties at both national and state levels.

Addressing a press conference in Madras, Moopanar said he would convey this view of the TMC cadre to Congress president Sonia Gandhi during his next trip to Delhi.

Asked what he thought would be the Congress's response, he said: "I have made my offer. It is for the Congress to decide".

Reiterating that the Congress alone was capable of leading an alternative secular government to the BJP-led regime at the Centre, he denied that his stand was at variance with that of some other United Front constituents.

"There is already an understanding between the Congress and the UF. It is clear that the Congress cannot form a government on its own and the UF cannot form a government without Congress support," he pointed out.

Asked whether he was scheduled to meet senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar, who is in the city, he said, "I have no information from him."

Asked whether his announcement was timed to coincide with Pawar's visit, Moopanar remarked jocularly: "It is not a coincidence. You can say it is providence."

Moopanar made it clear that the decision seeking closer coordination with the Congress came after his month-long meetings with a cross-section of party workers. "I have to go by what my cadres feel," he added.

Asked whether the TMC's eagerness for closer co-ordination with the Congress would affect its ties with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu, he pointed out that both the DMK and the TMC were part of the UF. "We are now functioning as a constructive Opposition," he added.

He asserted that the TMC was totally opposed to the demand made by the All India Anna DMK and its allies for the dismissal of the DMK regime.

Asked whether he thought the Congress would endorse his views on this issue, he said: "I don't know what the Congress thinks on the issue."

Asked whether he would seek Congress support against the Centre if it decided to dismiss the DMK regime giving in to the AIADMK demand, he said: "I can't say anything without knowing the Congress stand on the issue".

Asked whether the TMC's move seeking closer coordination with the Congress was to pre-empt a possible future tie-up between the Congress and the AIADMK, he said: "It is a question based on surmises. How can I answer this question?"

EARLIER REPORTS:

Moopanar's meeting with Sonia sets off speculation
Moopanar's Delhi trip arouses speculation
TMC rejects Moopanar's resignation, freezes merger issue
Moopanar quits as TMC president

UNI

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