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The Rediff Interview/Tindivanam K Ramamurthee

'I expect early elections to the Lok Sabha, and it is my duty to prepare the state unit for the same'

For a Congressman from the past, he looks simple and hardened -- like his modestly furnished Housing Board tenement in Madras, where the only attraction is the double-decked round teapoy, inlaid with foreign coins, crowded, and covered with glass. The small crowd outside his house also proclaims the arrival of Tindivanam K Ramamurthee as the new president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee -- and its smallness reflects the 'real strength' of the party.

A one-time follower of Tamil Maanila Congress founder G K Moopanar, Ramamurthee went his way in 1996, and their relationship since has been indifferent at best. But with the Congress's future in the state inadvertently mixed up with that of the TMC either way, a decision may soon have to be taken on their future ties, as also on the party's approach towards the AIADMK, in contrast.

In all this, Ramamurthee's views as a strategist will count, though he is as self-effacing as any other Congress leader, to lay the right and responsibility at the doors of the high command. Ramamurthee spoke to N Sathiya Moorthy in Madras on the state of the Congress and its future. An excerpt:

How do you view the evolving political situation in the state?

The political situation in the state is linked to the national scene, and the latter is confusing, at best. But this much I can say: the BJP coalition has failed the voters even in these 100 days or so. They have proved that only the Congress is capable of producing an able leader and providing the nation with a stable government. The rest of it, including the political situation in the state, will have to flow from this premise.

What will be your role as the state Congress chief?

I expect early elections to the Lok Sabha, given the internal squabbles within the ruling coalition. It is my duty to prepare the state unit for the same.

Does it mean that the Congress will go it alone in the state?

As a party with a long tradition, the Congress cannot afford to compromise on the basics. But given the ground realities of electoral politics, we will have to make some adjustments, if not compromises, and fight in alliance with other parties.

But the Congress is not a force to reckon with in the state...

It's a wrong premise. We have our inherent strengths. With some good work, we can improve our electoral presence, even though we fared very badly in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. A force that no prospective ally could ignore...

Can you be a little more specific?

It's an acknowledged fact that the Congress made the difference between victory and defeat for the DMK-TMC combine in 13 Lok Sabha seats in the February polls. Their losing margins would have been substantially reduced in seven more constituencies if the five per cent votes polled by the Congress had been added. Why, given such a mood, they could have even swept the polls. Instead, they did badly, and could manage only 10 of the 39 seats from Tamil Nadu.

Are you advocating a tie-up with the DMK-TMC combine?

I am only referring to the reality of the situation, where the Congress could not be ignored, or slighted.

But you also spoke about the inevitability of an alliance...

Yes, but it is for the high command to take a decision. We will carry out their decision.

What about the AIADMK?

No decision has been taken, and nothing can be said. It is for the high command to weigh the pros and cons of our state-level alliances, given its overall perspective and gameplan. My job is to keep the party fighting fit, and make it a tough bargaining chip.

But, are you not asking for too much, given the groupism in the state Congress?

There is no groupism in the Congress, which would have implied certain leaders working openly against the high command. Perspectives differ, and it is in the Congress tradition that everyone gets heard a little louder and clearer than in other parties.

Anyway, what's happening in the BJP after they came to power in the states and now at the Centre? There are differences within the BJP in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan...

What about your views on the TMC?

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has already invited all Congressmen to return to the parent organisation. I extend a similar invitation to my friends in the TMC. Otherwise, Moopanar and I are not enemies, and do exchange pleasantries whenever we get to meet each other. But we do not get to meet each other as frequently as we used to, because we have chosen separate paths.

What about the TMC's offer of coordination with the Congress? No decision seems to have been taken by your party?

What do they mean by this 'co-ordination'? Anyway, whom have they approached with their proposal? I do not think they have approached anyone, either my predecessor Thangabalu, or the high command. How can you expect our party to react to press reports?

What will be your reaction if they approach you formally?

Moopanar has said that it's for the Congress high command to react. In which case, how can I take a decision? Anyway, whatever is the high command's decision, that will also be my decision.

The Rediff Interviews