Sonia rally a warning sign for DMK

Her last few visits to Tamil Nadu was as the UPA chairperson. But last weekend, Sonia Gandhi’s visit to the state was as the president of the party that once ruled the state — the party that is threatening to come out of the shadow of its regional ally “to recapture its distinct identity”.

“In Tamil Nadu, we are in an alliance, and we respect the alliance. But simultaneously, we should not lose the identity of the Congress party... We should strengthen the organisation, knowing well that we are the party of the future, the main political outfit,” said Sonia, addressing a well-attended rally in Tiruchy on Saturday.

This, she said, was a new beginning for the party in Tamil Nadu, urging the cadres to work harder for the public, especially women and the youth.

The rally came at a time when the ground situation in Tamil Nadu politics remains in a state of flux, with only a few months left for the next Assembly elections. In the heart of this is the role the Congress will play in the polls.