All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi said here on Thursday that he wished to see the Congress party in power in Tamil Nadu and that the party would look at moulding a leadership for its future in the State.
Addressing a public meeting organised by the party in the city, he said: “One day, I look forward to seeing a Congress government in Tamil Nadu”. Inviting youngsters in the State to join the party, he said: “We are going to develop the future leadership of the Congress in Tamil Nadu.”
Mentioning complaints from youngsters during his three-day tour of the State that they did not have opportunities to join politics, he said: “I am here to open the doors of the Youth Congress to the youngsters. I ask the youngsters in Tamil Nadu to join this movement to change the way politics functions in this State.”
“I have seen the energy of the youth in Tamil Nadu over the last three days. I am confident that you have the energy to take Tamil Nadu to a bright future,” he said.
Mr. Gandhi sought to assure the Tamils in Sri Lanka of steps to ensure their rights. “Our government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and I will do everything possible within our powers to ensure that the Tamils in Sri Lanka got their rights.”
Mr. Gandhi declared that he and his family loved Tamils, not only those in Tamil Nadu but also in Sri Lanka and the rest of the world. “Tamils in every part of the world make us proud. So, we will stand up for you at all times.” He said the people of Tamil Nadu had stood by his grandmother and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the political turbulence in 1977.
Mr. Gandhi said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government had provided Rs.56,000 crore to Tamil Nadu for development works, twice the amount provided by the National Democratic Alliance Government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Mr. Gandhi said he had travelled on the roads in the State laid under Central Government schemes during the UPA regime. “They are as good as the ones anywhere in the world.”
Union Minister for Shipping G.K. Vasan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.V. Thangkabalu and Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam were among those who spoke at the meeting.
