Tamil Nadu assembly election: ‘We are running after DMK, but the ball is in their court,’ says Congress leader Girish Chodankar

Amidst speculation over Congress considering other options for the upcoming assembly election in Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, AICC member in charge of party affairs in the state, rules out Congress moving close to TVK, but pushes for sharing of power. “DMK has been our most trusted ally for a long time. We should be treated as equals,” he tells TOI. Excerpts: When will DMK and Congress poll committees begin discussions?You should ask DMK. On Dec 3, our five-member team met DMK president M K Stalin, suggesting that alliance matters be settled by Dec 15 so that we can campaign aggressively on the ground. BJP is our challenge. We are running after DMK. The ball is in their court.Did AICC member Praveen Chakravarty’s meetings with TVK president Vijay have the approval of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership?I don’t know why Rahul Gandhi’s or Mallikarjun Kharge’s names should be dragged into state-level issues. Maybe (Chakravarty) went there to sign a film with Vijay or to promote a movie or an advertisement because he is in that business too. God knows whether it was some business they discussed or if they were going to have idli or dosa. Why can’t two people meet and not discuss politics? I don’t think DMK has any issues with it. Are some sections in Congress pushing for an alliance with TVK?We have a democratic process and listen to every voice that comes from the ground as well as leaders. I hear a lot of voices from the grassroots wanting an alliance with TVK. Some sections say we should go with DMK. They are our oldest allies. I cannot hear only what I like; I should listen to all.Are you posturing to pressure DMK to agree to your demand for power-sharing?We don’t need to do that. Every political party has its policies and programmes, a manifesto and a vision. We have served this state. Everyone remembers Kamaraj’s rule. Naturally every political party strives for power. The cadres too expect it. Congress cadres have been working for 58 years without power. Now at least we are giving them some hope. Is there a tentative proposal for 38 seats and three cabinet berths?Some have proposed that we must have one seat in every district. That’s how the 38 was arrived at. Some say 41 seats, because that’s the number we got last time. We will soon let you know the exact number. Will Congress leave the alliance if DMK does not agree to sharing power?The DMK has been our most trusted ally for a long time. This alliance cannot be broken like that. We will discuss it with mutual respect. What we are asking is respect and dignity. We should be treated as equals. And it will happen. All should open their minds and accept changes.Will Rahul speak to Stalin ‘Anna’?Why are you involving my leaders in one state’s talks? When the committee is constituted, it is empowered to talk, negotiate and resolve issues. Did Rahul speak to Vijay in the wake of Karur stampede?Rahul called Vijay after the stampede. Rahul is a kind-hearted person. He spoke to the CM too then.Who are your main rivals in the election?Our main rival, our national rival, is the RSS-sponsored BJP. It is also the enemy of Tamil Nadu and the country. AIADMK is not our national enemy. But when an election comes, we have to fight everyone. What about TVK?We will have to fight TVK too. It’s a political battle. We will have to see first whether TVK is going to contest as TVK. Why do you say that?Nobody is sure whether TVK will contest as TVK. The Karur stampede is going to be a key election issue. Who would you blame for it?The investigation is on. We will not make this a political issue.Congress MP Jyothimani said infighting in Congress was distressing.Jyothimani is a bit emotional about the party, she is a dedicated worker. There are some issues in her district, not at the state-level. A former district president allegedly used some foul language against her. PCC has sent him a show-cause notice.TNCC member Surya Prakashan resigned from his post accusing TNCC chief of turning the party into a “slave camp of DMK”.That is a wrong accusation. He (Selvaperunthagai) was instrumental in forming village committees of the party. He has a good equation with the chief minister. It is not that he listens only to DMK. He listens to the AICC leadership.How do you see infighting in Congress?There is Infighting in your journalism groups. Infighting is in every group, every political party ... see AIADMK, see BJP – their state president was removed. Infighting is part of a democratic process, and our party has strong democratic rules. Sometimes it is constructive, sometimes it isn’t. Issues must be discussed within the party.