NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The Tamil Maanila Congress general council, which met in Chennai on Monday, unanimously ratified the leadership's decision to merge with the Congress.
"The Tamil Maanila Congress, Moopanar," as the party is officially known in the records of the Election Commission, "stands dissolved and ceases to exist with effect from August 14, 2002," a resolution adopted by the general council said.
The meeting also resolved to urge the Election Commission to freeze the party's name, flag and 'bicycle' symbol to prevent their use by anyone else. While on the face of it the move is aimed at stalling the possibility of dissident MLA Dr S Kumaradoss using the party's name, it also leaves open the possibility of reviving the organisation in future.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, TMC president G K Vasan said three of the four legislators who remained absent had informed the leadership in advance and promised to abide by decisions taken at the meeting.
The exception was Kumaradoss. Vasan said he was an individual and it was up to him to decide his stand.
Vasan refused to be drawn into a discussion on the posts that would be offered to TMC politicians after the merger.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to preside over the merger function in Madurai. Vasan said the objective of the merger was to bring 'Kamaraj rule' back in Tamil Nadu, the unfulfilled dream of his father, the late G K Moopanar.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
