Not hesitant to commit to alliance with DMK, but discussions must begin, says Congress leader Girish Chodankar

All India Congress Committee in-charge for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Girish Chodankar on Tuesday said the party was not hesitant to commit to an alliance with the ruling DMK but discussions were yet to begin.

When journalists asked him about the alliance, Mr Chodankar, who was in Chennai, said: “We had a meeting of all the (state party) leaders in Delhi and our general secretary (Organisation) briefed the media. (Overall) 42 congress leaders have been heard and the AICC will take the decision. As and when, the discussion starts, we will update you all.”

Asked if the Congress is hesitant to commit to a DMK alliance now, Mr. Chodankar, “We are not hesitant. We have to start discussions first to tell you.”

Mr Chodankar earlier participated in the executive committee meeting of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to discuss the preparatory work for the election campaign and about the public rallies that would see the participation of Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in Tamil Nadu. Th meeting was held at the TNCC headquarters, Sathyamurthy Bhavan.

Mr Chodankar, said the process of identifying and selection of candidates for the elections have begun. The convention of active members in each assembly constituency along with booth committees would be held along with a public meeting of members from Mahila Congress and fisherfolk. This meeting would see the participation of all India Congress leaders including Mr Rahul Gandhi and Ms Priyanka Gandhi.

He thanked the PCC president and District Congress Committee presidents...both outgoing and incoming presidents for appointment of BLA 1 (Booth Level Agent). “We will be observing the performance of DCC presidents and State unit will assign tasks for them,” he said.

Mr. Chodankar said the State unit has appointed close to 55683 BLA2 and said that 2 lakh active members have been verified by the AICC control room.

TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai, said the outgoing District Congress Committee presidents will be given State-level posts soon.