G K Vasan camp moves EC for registration of new outfit Tamil Maanila Congress's name

NEW DELHI: With former Union Minister G K Vasan, who recently broke away from Congress, all set to launch his political party on November 28, his representatives have approached the Election Commission to register the name for the new outfit.

Senior leaders, who quit Congress to join the Vasan camp, said they wanted to revive the name, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), but there are some legal issues involved.

"There are some legal issues involved in it as some persons are claiming to be running a political party under the banner of Tamil Maanila Congress in Puducherry," sources said, adding that steps are being taken to resolve it.

Vasan's father and veteran Congress leader G K Moopanar had floated TMC when he split Congress after it decided to align with AIADMK in 1996. However, Tamil Maanila Congress was merged with Congress in 2002.

Top leaders are also exploring the possibility of naming the party after late Congress leaders, who were known for their probity in public life.

The Vasan camp is likely to stake claims for Tamil Maanila Congress's symbol 'bicycle', as well, the sources added.

The development comes on the day when Vasan announced in Tamil Nadu that a public meeting, where he would reveal the name of his party and flag, will be held on November 28 in G Corner grounds, Ponmalai at Tiruchirapalli.

Meanwhile, in a bid to woo young voters, the new party may have a dedicated social media wing to connect with the youth.

Staunch supporter of Vasan and former Congress MLA C Gnanasekaran said the wing would be reaching out to the tech-savvy voters through Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

"The social media wing would be started soon after the party is launched. A committee would be dedicated for the wing to update news and other subjects related to the new party through the social media," he said.

Dealing a blow to the Congress, Vasan had quit the party and announced his decision to float a new outfit in Tamil Nadu on November 3.