It was a courtesy call, says Vasan

Terming his meeting with CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury a “courtesy call,” Tamil Manila Congress leader G.K. Vasan on Thursday rejected speculations that the Left and TMC were attempting to put up an alternate alliance in the State with the DMDK on board.

Replying to a query at a press conference here on Thursday, he said, “But I do accept we discussed national and State politics.” The leaders had met for a discussion organised by VIT University last week.

Asked if the talks were centred on the formation of a third front along with Vijayakant’s DMDK, he said, “That is not true. We only discussed politics and are not in a position to say anything officially.”

TMC’s general body meeting is scheduled for April 24 here. “We have enrolled over 47 lakh members in the party between December 11 last year and March 30 this year. The membership drive is still on,” Mr. Vasan said.

‘AP shooting’

On the gunning down of 20 persons from Tamil Nadu in Andhra Pradesh, he said the incident raised suspicions of being a fake encounter.

Referring to a statement made by former Minister in Andhra Pradesh who justified the shooting, Mr. Vasan said: “It is highly condemnable. It will affect the relations of people in both States.”