Since the date has been kept under wraps no one in the TNCC or the Youth Congress, in whose 'padayatra' he was expected to participate on November 19 itself, seems to be aware of it the proposed visit has given rise to a plethora of speculation.
However, is it quite evident, at least from a false alert from the TNCC on Monday afternoon that Rahul had landed in Sriperumbudur on Monday after they learnt that Rahul had boarded a special flight in Delhi that the party is keenly awaiting the visit.
But party sources suggest that the visit hinges on the outcome of the Bihar Assembly elections.
If the Congress comes a cropper in Bihar, his trip to TN could be postponed. If it does well, then Rahul may be celebrating it with the Youth Congress activists who are now approaching Chennai after starting the walkathon at Kanyakumari on Oct 2.
When Rahul skipped his rendezvous with the marchers, which was scheduled to happen at Sriperumbudur the place where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on November 19, Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary, two possible reasons were cited: his active participation in the Bihar election campaign and the inclement weather that would not be conducive for helicopter operation.
However, as the marchers left Kancheepuram on November 19 they did not reach Sriperumbudur that day there were indications that Rahul may join them any moment as a clutch of strangers started walking with the marchers.
The strangers, persumably plainclothesman from security agencies, were part of the march till Monday morning as the walk resumed at Sriperumbudur. Their subsequent exit was taken as an indication that Rahul was not expected to join in.
But then, the marchers were instructed to slow down and enter Chennai only by November 24 or later. That triggered hopes that Rahul would join the Youth Congress activists as they walk through Chennai roads or when they conclude the march.
But some sources say Rahul might defer the visit if the Bihar results counting of votes is on November 24 go against the Congress as it would deprive him of an opportunity to give a pep talk on the party's role in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2011.
Even otherwise, the turn of events in the 2G spectrum scam and the resignation of Union telecom minister A Raja have altered the equation between the Congress and the DMK after the march was flagged off on October 2.
Since the Congress high command may have to now wait and watch on how the issue pans out, party sources say Rahul would have nothing substantial to tell the marchers on the coming elections, assuming he had some grandiose plans earlier. Like floating the idea of forming a third front without the DMK and AIADMK and roping in parties like Vijayakanth's DMDK and the PMK, which are actually waiting for such a move.
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