Vasan revives Tamil Maanila Congress, mounts scathing attack on Congress

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI: Former Union minister G K Vasan today formally launched his new political party Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), billing it as a departure from the traditional high command culture followed in his erstwhile Congress and flaying its style of functioning.

Addressing a well-attended rally, organised to mark the birth of the new regional party, a virtual revival of the TMC founded by his father G K Moopanar over a decade ago, he expressed regret for merging it with the Congress, remarking "it did not yield any result for people of Tamil Nadu".

Moopanar rebelled against Congress in 1996 protesting against its alliance with AIADMK and floated TMC, but Vasan merged it with Congress in 2002 after his father's death.

"You don't need to wait for high command leaders (for decisions). There is no need to be angry over (central) observers not concerned about the party. There is no need to wait in airport for leaders who do not understand the problems of people of the state," he lashed out at the Congress, but did not target any leader including the top leadership.

Vasan had quit Congress on November 3 alleging that the state units were being ignored by the high command and poor management of party affairs by some of the top leaders at Delhi. He had then announced he would float a new regional party that would "fulfil the aspirations" of people of Tamil Nadu.

Hinting that the hardworking partymen were not rewarded aptly in Congress by virtue of a quota system, Vasan assured his supporters that he will be "one in your family who will share your joy and sorrow", and pledged to meet supporters in every part of the state.