Former Union Minister Vasan quits Congress, launches new party

Giving a blow to the Congess party in Tamil Nadu, GK Vasan on Monday declared to split away with the party.

Media reports indicated that Vasan was unhappy with the way Congress central leadership was handling the party in the southern state.

While addressing a press conference, former Union Minister expressed his anxiousness about Congress’ future in the state.

"I am deeply worried about Congress in Tamil Nadu," Vasan was quoted by media as saying. “We want to give Tamil Nadu a political alternative,” he added.

At the same time, he wished well-bring for Congress.  “Rahul Gandhi is a national leader, I wish him all the best for the future,” Vasan reportedly said.

It has been learnt, after parting ways with Congress, 49-year-old Vasan expressed his desire to relaunch Tamil Maanila Congress, the party founded by his deceased father GK Moopanar in 1996, who himself was an All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary from 1980 to 1988.

Moopanar allied his party with the M Karunanidhi’s DMK. After Moopanar’s death, his son Vasan merged the party with Congress in 2002.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi appointed him as the Secretary of the Party.

In November 2003, G. K. Vasan was appointed as President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.

In 2009, Vasan was made Union Minister of Shipping, during the UPA-II regime under the leadership of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the portfolio which he held till 2014.

According to media reports, BS Gnanadesikan, who is known to be close to Vasan, resigned from the post of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President last week, accusing the party's leadership in Delhi of failing to consult the state branch on important issues.

The Congress in reply appointed appointed EVKS Elangovan as the new state President, who has been widely acclaimed as belonging to anti-Vasan faction.

It has been learnt that, Elangovan’s appointment led Vasan to quit party.

He said, merit should be honoured and the party (Congress) was not rising to the occasion.

“We were not satisfied with the system given by the national party and so we took this decision,” Vasan has reportedly told media on Monday clarifying his decision to quit Congress.

Apart from that, Vasan has been reported by media accusing Congress earlier that the party did not allow new membership cards to carry pictures of party leaders K Kamaraj and his father Moopanar.

“In Tamil Nadu, the Congress can be strengthened only by invoking the legacy of Kamaraj and Moopanar,” Vasan was quoted earlier by the media as saying.

Former Union Minister also cleared that he is eyeing the state Assembly elections, which is expected in 2016.

On next polls, he said, “We have to reach the people, talk to the people. With our way of functioning and our strategy we will ensure victory.”

Vasan, who is known to be very popular among state Congress cadres, expects to capitalise on his image ahead of the next polls by garnering attractive proposition for an alliance.