CHENNAI: The relationship between the Congress and DMK is almost over as not only functionaries on either side are pointing fingers at each other for the poll debacle, they have also started openly expressing a desire to disentangle from each other.While DMK chief M Karunanidhi was subtle when he exhorted the party cadre to 'shun bad friends' on his 88th birthday on Friday, which was an indication of his anger against the ally, Congress functionaries in Tiruchy district were more forthright in saying that they want to get rid of the DMK. Besides passing a resolution on June 1 urging the high command to break the pact, the district Congress leaders said that they wanted to 'bell the cat' since party cadre throughout the State were disillusioned with the DMK and did not know how to put it across to the high command.Cadre of DMK in Pudukottai were upfront in expressing their resentment when they put out wall posters accusing the 'Hand' of eclipsing the 'risen sun' and wanting the Hand to move away.In fact, the Congress wish to move away from the DMK's shadow after the Assembly elections was made explicit by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi months ago when he visited the State. He told the Youth Congress cadre to focus on panchayat elections, due in October, and try to win as many seats as possible.So, in all probability, the alliance will not survive the local body elections for functionaries and cadre on both sides see the alliance as a liability.For, according to the election post mortem by both parties at the grassroots level, they would have won more seats if they had gone it alone.DMK cadre recall that their party had at one point decided to withdraw support to the UPA by pulling out its Unions ministers during the talks on seat sharing . If that had happened, the party would not have been routed, they argue."They snatched 63 seats by armtwisting us and ended up winning just five, that too three in Kanyakumari district, which is anyway their stronghold," says a functionary. In many of the constituencies where AIADMK alliance candidates defeated Congress nominees the results would have been the other way if the DMK had fielded candidates is the feeling of many DMK cadre. Congress cadre on the other hand attribute their rout to the noncooperation of DMK workers.But the question is: Which of the two parties will call it quits first. The DMK may not do it as it would amount to losing power at the Centre it now has six ministers and if the Congress goes for it, it may have to scout for support to keep UPAII alive.
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