TMC will function independently until local bodies elections, but will work with Congress in future, says G.K. Vasan

The Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) will operate independently of any alliance until the local bodies elections in Tamil Nadu, as stated by its leader G. K. Vasan. However, moving forward, it intends to collaborate closely with the Indian National Congress. Vasan's remarks were shared in an interview with The Hindu 360 on Tamil YouTube channel.

A month after the Assembly election in 2022, the TMC's executive committee convened. Some members argued that the party had consistently been part of an alliance or another and stressed that the party could only thrive when operating independently, without being tied to any alliance. Consequently, the decision was made to function distinctly on the TMC's own strength during the upcoming local bodies elections, according to Vasan.

He further mentioned that the TVK-led government is functioning commendably, highlighting the breakfast scheme named after Kamarajar as a commendable initiative. When such governance is initiated, members of the TMC feel that alliances like the TMC should extend their support. Prior to breaking away from the Congress in 2014 to revive the TMC(M), Vasan contested the 2016 Assembly election with the People's Welfare Front.

In subsequent elections, the TMC remained in an alliance where the BJP was a part. However, moving forward, the party will work in tandem with the Indian National Congress, Vasan said. He noted that when the party was part of the BJP-led alliance, there was a gap between them and the Congress. However, since the BJP-led alliance is no longer viable, Vasan has been in touch with the Congress.

Regarding the future, Vasan stated that answering whether the party will merge with the Congress is akin to asking whether the CPI and the CPI(M) will merge in the future. As of now, it is not possible to answer that question.