Cong blames DMK for defeat in TN, Puducherry polls

NEW DELHI: With the 2G spectrum scam putting an obvious strain on Congress-DMK relationship, the UPA big brother has blamed its ally for the defeat in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly elections.

The editorial in the May-June issue of Congress Sandesh, the party’s mouthpiece, says, “The Congress has fared well in the Assembly polls of April-May 2011. The Congress has retained power in Assam, returned to power in Kerala and trounced the Left front government in West Bengal with its alliance partner Trinamool Congress.

The results in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry were affected by the 2G scam and these states were lost to other parties.” In the recent Assembly elections, Congress was reduced to its worst-ever tally in Tamil Nadu.

It also says that "the investigating agencies are looking into many high-profile cases of corruption that have attracted a great deal of public attention... The handling of these cases constitutes a litmus test and the agencies involved should act without fear or favour and bring to book all those who are guilty, irrespective of their position or status.”

Apart from the editorial, the Sandesh also carries an analysis of the Assembly elections by Sarvjit Singh, member of the magazine’s editorial board. Singh has been more direct in his criticism as his article says that Congress needs to re-think its strategy in Tamil Nadu. “The Congress has to have another look at their strategy in the southern state. It must not lose its vote-bank due to the mistakes of its coalition partners.

The Congress has to regain its old glory and be in a position to be in power by itself. A relook at this is necessary,” Singh says in the article.

Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi parried questions on the remarks made in the party mouthpiece on the defeat. “I don't think it is proper to discuss any editorial or an article in a party mouthpiece in detail. You can draw your own inference,” Dwiveditold reporters here.

Replying to a host of queries on the emergency meeting of the DMK being held in Chennai amid talk of possible pullout from the UPA government, the Congress general secretary said he does not comment on speculation. “We do not comment on our coalition partners. They continue to be our coalition partners,” he said.