The concept of power sharing as a condition for electoral alliance, proposed by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), looks to be slowly gaining acceptance with the Congress and the Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) stating that the people are “favourably poised” for supporting a coalition government.
Speaking to The Hindu , TMC president and former Union Minister, G.K. Vasan said coalition governments had emerged as a strong concept in many States in India. At the Centre too, this has been the form of governance for two decades.
“Coalition government looks like the wish of the people,” Mr. Vasan said, adding that who to ally with is a decision the party would take closer to the Assembly elections in 2016.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, said while the Congress could not be clubbed under the banner of “smaller political parties” as proposed by the VCK, it was nevertheless positive about the need for power sharing.
“We are very clear about this. If we cannot form the government on our own, we would insist on forming a coalition government,” he said.
Summarising internal deliberations on the issue, a senior Congress leader said the idea of a “friendly party ( thozhamai katchi) ”, which is neither part of the government nor the Opposition, is now obsolete.
“The Congress has been kept away from power for 48 years. It is of utmost importance that we be part of the dispensation to gain ground,” the leader said.
Both the TMC and the Congress have been part of discussions held on the issue by the VCK, which has reached out to the Left parties and the DMDK.
