TNCC chief hopeful of Left returning to UPA fold

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 13 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K V Thangkabalu today expressed hope the Left Parties, which withdrew support from the UPA Government at the Centre over the Indo-US Nuclear Deal issue, would return to the UPA fold after the Assembly elections in three states.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said the Left parties had no other alternative but to fight communal forces in India.

Justifying the nuclear deal, he said the Left's argument on the pact was ''incorrect'' as they were not based on any policies.

Referring to the 'Third Front,' he claimed ''such day dreams will not materialise and without the Congress, no one could form government at the Centre.

Ruling out any kind of groupism in Tamil Nadu Congress, especially after he took charge, Mr Thangkabalu said with overwhelming support from all his predecessors, Union Ministers from the State and Congress Legislators, he was confident of strengthening the party's base in the state.

Referring to Karnataka's opposition to the Hogenakkal Drinking Water Project, Mr Thangkabalu said Karnataka has no right to interfere in the project, which, according to him, would be well within the state's boundary.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's stand on the issue would strain the relationship between both the states, he added.

To a question, he said he would take up the matter with his Karnataka counterpart and if necessary, meet Mr Yeddyurappa.

Asked about the Tamil Nadu Congress Legislative Party's long-pending demand for Cabinet berths in the DMK Government, he said he would convey the wish of the Congress Legislators here to the party high command which would take a final decision.

Stating price hike and inflation were unavoidable, he said the Centre was taking steps to bring it down and would succeed in its attempt in two months.

Declining to comment on queries on the idea of bringing Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, led by actor-politicians Vijaykanth and Saratkumar respectively, to the DPA, he said there was plenty of time for all these things.

UNI RV SJ CS AS1834