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'How can Congress support Rajiv's killers?'

Syed Firdaus Ashraf

The Congress's stand on the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham following its indictment by the Jain Commission has sent shock waves across the country.

Why has the Congress taken such a tough stand, when there is nothing new about the Commission's findings?

To answer several such queries, Rediff On The NeT zeroed in on Congress Parliamentary Party secretary Prithviraj Chavan, MP for Karad in Maharashtra.

Explaining his party's tough stand on the DMK, Chavan said, ''The Congress party is emotionally attached to Rajiv Gandhi. The Jain Commission report has clearly stated that the DMK has supported the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Also, the DMK used to pass on 'sensitive information' to the LTTE, and protect LTTE militants in India. So, how do you expect the Congress to support the killers of our leader? The people will never pardon us if this is done.''

Does it imply that the Congress would not mind supporting the UF if the DMK is out? ''Of course, the Congress is only demanding the resignation of three DMK ministers. Let there be another legal inquiry. And, if in that inquiry, the DMK is not found guilty, it can very well rejoin the government. In fact, there are many leaders in the UF who feel that the DMK should not continue with the UF.''

Who are these leaders? ''Everyone knows them.''

How can you blame the DMK for the assassination when Rajiv Gandhi visited Tamil Nadu as many as eight times after he lost the 1989 election and returned safely? ''Obviously, the LTTE plans must have not succeeded then. It was only the 9th time that he became a target.''

Why is the Congress not targeting former prime ministers V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar though they have been indicted by the Commission? ''Unlike the DMK, these prime ministers were not directly involved in the conspiracy.''

Isn't the Rajiv Gandhi government equally to blame as it also helped the LTTE? ''Again, there is a difference. The Congress's help to the LTTE was in accordance with the Sri Lankan constitution. That, too, to enable it to defend itself. Not to launch an offensive against any individual, party or country. The moment the LTTE started talking about Eelam, the aid was stopped and we sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force to Sri Lanka.''

Will a snap poll prove suicidal for the Congress? ''No, in fact, we will win at least 220 seats in case of a mid-term election.''

So, will you form an alliance with some party? ''Of course, I am sure in Uttar Pradesh we will form an alliance with Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party. In Bihar, we may form an alliance with Laloo Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal.''

Driven to the wall, will the DMK and the Telugu Desam Party join the Bharatiya Janata Party? ''That is not possible. Even if they come together, the magic figure will elude them.''

Like in UP, will Congress members break up the party and join hands with the BJP? ''No, it is not possible. Because 40 Congress MPs cannot switch sides overnight.''

So, what is your election plank? ''Stability and the BJP's hypocrisy in UP, where they bribed MLAs to form the government. And continuing liberalisation.''

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