Chennai: On a three-day visit to strengthen Youth Congress, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has raised the hackles of DMK cadre by not meeting their patriarch M Karunanidhi but he downplayed the issue saying he is an "admirer" of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Seeking to mollify UPA's key ally, DMK, whose cadre were reportedly upset over his not calling on Karunanidhi, Rahul said he had "full respect" for the DMK chief.
"I have visited Tamil Nadu many many times, three-four times. But I did not meet him during my visits. I have never gone to meet Karunanidhiji. There is nothing out of the ordinary in this. There is a regular touch and communication between us and DMK chief M Karunanidhi", he said before wrapping up his three-day tour of the state.
"I am here only to strengthen the Youth Congress in the state. We have full respect for Karunanidhi. They are our allies. We are an ally with them here and at the Centre. Both the parties are very helpful in Tamil Nadu and at the Centre", he said.
Gandhi's comments came amidst reports that the DMK was upset over his not meeting Karunanidhi, breaking the practice of Congress leaders calling on the DMK patriarch during their visits to Tamil Nadu, where it supports the Karunanidhi government from outside.
DMK sources said Congress leaders had not sought any appointment for a meeting so far, though their leader had time and again praised Rahul for his leadership qualities.
On Wednesday, in a meeting with party workers in Chennai, Rahul said the Congress should give up the practice of riding on the back of Dravidian parties—DMK and AIADMK—but to work to build themselves up.
Rahul, on a mission to rejuvenate the party at the grass root level, however, said the Congress should take up public issues at the state level and said, "I hope the DMK would also appreciate that."
Asked whether his party would go alone in the 2011 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Rahul shot back, saying "it is not even on the table".
He said his efforts to strengthen the Youth Congress was to bridge the "disconnect" between the youth and the political system in the country. "Our organisation will bridge the gap in the state".
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