RS polls: Congress MLAs await instructions from high command

With hardly three days left for the Rajya Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, the five Congress MLAs are yet to get any instruction from the high command as to who they should vote for.

The delay has also caused anxious moments for the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), led by actor Vijayakant, who fielded his party candidate after getting a promise of support from the Congress high command.

A Congress MLA said he had not yet received any instruction so far.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B.S. Gnanadesikan, who is camping in Delhi, met AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik, in-charge-of party affairs in Tamil Nadu, on Monday. But he was not able to get any firm directive on the manner of voting in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Mr. Wasnik, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and other senior leaders had a discussion on the issue on Sunday, but no decision was arrived at. Congress sources said the issue would be taken up again for discussion on Tuesday night.

“We don’t understand why they are delaying the decision after making a commitment to the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK). The MLAs from the party told me that they would not have fielded a candidate, if the Congress had not promised support,” said a senior Congress leader.

The DMDK camp was disappointed over the developments in Delhi, especially with the speculation emerging from there that the Congress would eventually favour DMK candidate Kanimozhi in the RS polls in the interest of a revival of their alliance for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. “Though our high command feels that an alliance with the DMK is inevitable, they are not sure whether the coming together of the two parties will be enough to win seats. They also want to rope in the DMDK in the front. But I’m not sure if Mr. Vijayakant will agree to such an arrangement,” said the Congress leader from Tamil Nadu.

Congress in a fix

Party sources indicate that the Congress is in a fix. It needs both the DMK and the DMDK in future, but can support only one under the present circumstances. And who will win its favour is a moot question today.