Congress demands share in power in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, May 19 : A week after the DMK led government assumed office in Tamil Nadu, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today demanded share in power, stating that the people of the state had given a mandate for the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) government led by DMK.

Adopting a resolution to this effect, the 34-member CLP, which met here this morning, said ''it is of the firm conviction that the mandate of people of Tamil Nadu was for the DPA government led by the DMK'' and decided to take up the matter with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Asked whether the Congress wanted a share in power, AICC special invitee Veerappa Moily, incharge of party affairs in the state, who chaired the meeting, said ''we are very much clear to be part of the government.'' The CLP, responding to the wishes of the people of Tamil Nadu, resolved to strengthen the DPA for the full term, the resolution said.

It said ''the CLP is also of the conviction that in the interest of the stability of the government and fulfilment of the expectations of the people of the state, other partners of the DPA must join hands with the government, associating with the cabinet and its various functions,'' the resolution said.

In another resolution, the CLP, resolved to have a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the lines of Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre.

Though the CLP wanted other DPA partners to join hands with the government and associate themselves with the cabinet, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the left parties had made it clear, even before the elections that they were not interested in sharing power.

UNI