Rahul says he is an admirer of Karunanidhi

On a three-day visit here to strengthen Youth Congress, Rahul Gandhi has raised the hackles of DMK cadre by not not meeting their patriarch M Karunanidhi but he downplayed the issue saying he is an "admirer" of the Tamil Nadu chief minister.

Seeking to mollify the UPA's key ally, DMK, whose cadre were reportedly upset over his not calling on chief minister M Karunanidhi, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi today said he had "full respect" for the DMK chief.

"I have visited Tamil Nadu many many times, three-four times. But I did not meet him during my visits. I have never gone to meet Karunanidhiji."

"There is nothing out of the ordinary in this. There is a regular touch and communication between us and DMK Chief M Karunanidhi", he told reporters before wrapping up his three-day tour of the state.

"I am here only to strengthen the Youth Congress in the State. We have full respect for Karunanidhi.  They are our allies.  We are an ally with them here and at the Centre. Both the parties are very helpful in Tamil Nadu and at the Centre", he said.

Gandhi's comments came amidst reports that the DMK was upset over his not meeting Karunanidhi, breaking the practice of Congress leaders calling on the DMK patriarch during their visits to Tamil Nadu, where it supports the Karunanidhi ministry from outside.

DMK sources said Congress leaders had not sought any appointment for a meeting so far, though their leader had time and again praised Gandhi for his leadership qualities.

Yesterday, in a meeting with party workers here, Gandhi said the Congress should give up the practice of riding on the back of Dravidian parties--DMK and AIADMK--but to work hard build themselves up.

Gandhi, on a mission to rejuvenate the party at the grass root level, however, said the Congress should take up public issues at the State level and "I hope the DMK would also appreciate that."

Asked whether his party would go it alone in the 2011 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Rahul shot back, saying "it is not even on the table".

He said his efforts to strengthen the Youth Congress was to bridge the "disconnect" between the youth and the political system in the country. "Our organisation will bridge the gap in the State".

Gandhi said the Congress and DMK had a "happy alliance" both in Delhi and Tamil Nadu but at the same time made clear his party's intentions to develop its own "space" in the state.

"Every political party has to understand and develop (its own) space," he said."We have no issues with them (DMK)."

Describing Karunanidhi as a "senior leader," he said the DMK leader has "shown the state direction for many years".

The issue of his not meeting him was being needlessly being raked up by the media, Gandhi said.

Dismissing suggestions that he was trying to replicate the Uttar Pradesh formula of fighting elections alone in Tamil Nadu, Gandhi said applying it to other states was a "shallow idea" as every state has particular dynamics.

The party had decided to go it alone in Uttar Pradesh after assessing conditions including allying with Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party.

Taking a dig at the Opposition BJP and Left parties for their outlook on the country's development, he said it was the Congress which can ensure all-round development.

"India is now a country of opportunities on one side and the lack of it on the other. While the BJP's view (on development) was that of India Shining, with all the focus on opportunities, the Left parties say ignore the India with opportunities and focus on that without it. But, we will bridge these two Indias and create an opportunity for all."

In order to realise this, flagship programmes such as the NREGA and "massive" expansion of the education and health sectors were being done, which he termed as "weapons" of national development.