Change in people's attitude: Chidambaram

By Our Special Correspondent

PERAMBALUR, AUG. 5. There will be a definite change in the attitude of the people in the run-up to the local bodies, thanks to the political drama they witnessed during the past 75 days, Mr. P. Chidambaram, former Union Finance Minister and founder- president of the TMC Democratic Forum, said on Saturday.

Addressing his supporters in Perambalur and Ariyalur districts, Mr. Chidambaram said so soon after the May 10 Assembly elections, the people had started yearning for a government which would be transparent and responsive to public sentiments, and would discharge its duties to the electorate.

Mr. Chidambaram said his supporters in 27 districts he had so far visited were in favour of the forum contesting as a new party in the local bodies polls. It would join hands with like-minded parties to fight the election.

The forum would seek its share of seats of panchayat membership and the posts of chief of panchayats, town panchayats, municipal councils, and Corporation councils.

Our Dindigul Staff Reporter reports:

At district-level workers meeting held at Dindigul, Mr. Chidambaram wanted to know from them whether the forum should maintain its status quo or be converted into a political party.

Commenting on the split in the Congress, Mr. Chidambaram said bringing all groups under one umbrella was not a tough task. What was needed was cohesive action with a single goal.He expressed concern at the Congress splitting in the State. People had been searching for an alternative Government in the State, but the Congress had been hiding behind some parties.

Earlier, the members cautioned Mr Chidambaram about prevalence of factionalism in the forum in the district. They insisted on his announcing a single leader for the district, where the forum has been run by three local leaders. Mr. Chidambaram, in a bid to pacify them, said field work would be allotted to youngsters and State-level posts given to senior level leaders to guide juniors.

Most of the speakers expressed their desire for the party contesting independently in the local bodies elections. Mr. Chidambaram said the time was not yet ripe for doing so.

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Section  : Southern States
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