'Proposed third front will not be successful'

VIRUDHUNAGAR: The proposed third front, led by BSP leader Mayawati would not be successful, as the Congress party was the one which the people pinned hopes on, TNCC president K Thangkabalu said here on Sunday.

"How can a third front be successful when the Congress party is the people's "Nambikkai Natchathiram" (star of hope)?, he said.

Asked what happened to the goal of "Kamaraj regime' in Tamil Nadu, he told reporters here that it was but natural for Congress to aspire to form a government in Tamil Nadu. "What for are we then a political party in Tamil Nadu?," he asked.

Thangkabalu said any decision on demanding a ministerial berth in the Tamil Nadu cabinet (led by its ally DMK) would have to be taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

He pointed out that the PMK continued to be part of the Congress led UPA government at the Centre, despite the DMK snapping ties with the party in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had also not objected to it.

Thangkabalu, who took over the state leadership recently and toured the Southern districts for the first time,said the Congress would organise five training camps for party workers throughout the state. The first would be held at Chennai, followed by camps at Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Nellai

Earlier, he paid homage at the Kamaraj memorial here and also addressed party workers.