MADURAI: He has been a Rajya Sabha member for two terms, a union minister for eight of those 12 years, and a member of various House committees during the other four years. Now, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) leader G K Vasan is finally thinking of fighting an election.
His first choice, sources added, is Papanasam in Thanjavur, once represented by his father G K Moopanar. The TMC has its strongest support base here in this agrarian belt. The choice, hence, is both emotional and rational at once for Vasan, who floated the party after splitting from the Congress – just like his father did almost two decades ago.
Since the split with parent Congress, the TMC is widely speculated to go with the ruling AIADMK, which was strengthened after the parent party announced its decision to join the DMK-led front. Vasan had told reporters at Ramanathapuram that a decision on alliance for the coming Assembly polls would be taken by next week. Sources said after the party announced its decision, it would hold a State level meeting at Thanjavur, where Vasan’s candidature would be announced.
For a party that is trying to find its feet in a crowded political field, it is important to win at least a few seats in the State elections so as to ensure its growth, the party leaders said.
In 1989, Moopanar won from Papanasam and became the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly. Years later, he split from the parent party over alliance with the AIADMK and floated the TMC in 1996.