Cong defends decision to back TVK

Chennai: Defending Congress's decision to extend support to TVK in the post-election scenario, the party's leader C Rajesh Kumar on Thursday rejected allegations that the move amounted to "betraying" the people of Tamil Nadu or "stabbing them in the back".Rajesh Kumar said Congress had remained with DMK front despite other options because of its resolve to keep communal forces away. But Congress now decided to support TVK, respecting the current mood of the people and the democratic verdict. "We have taken this decision keeping in mind the future welfare of the state," he said.He said Congress remained firm that RSS and communal forces should not gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. "All secular forces should unite and a strong secular govt should be formed in Tamil Nadu," he said.Rajesh Kumar further said TVK was a secular party and noted that Vijay had named former chief minister K Kamaraj as his ideological leader. "Supporting a movement which has declared that it has internalised the ideals of Perunthalaivar Kamarajar and would travel on the path of social justice would strengthen secular values in Tamil Nadu," he said. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Christopher Manickam also said the decision to support TVK was taken in the larger interest of the state to ensure continuance of a secular government. "Around 65% of the voters in the state, including the 35% that voted for TVK have categorically rejected BJP and their alliance. Congress is keen to keep communal forces outside TN, so we aligned with TVK," Christopher told reporters in Trichy. Meanwhile, TNCC announced statewide protests against Governor Arlekar over the delay in inviting TVK chief Vijay to form govt despite TVK emerging as the single largest party.TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai accused BJP and the governor of attempting to deny TVK its rightful democratic opportunity to form govt.AICC in charge for TN Girish Chodankar slammed the governor and said, "Due to his RSS background and the pressure from Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, I feel the governor is bowing before BJP rather than before the Constitution and the people of Tamil Nadu. The governor must respect the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu." Chodankar said there would be a revolt if the governor tries to impose his rule. "We also appeal to all the secular parties to come out and support the people's mandate," he added.