Dhanushkodi Athithan, a Congress veteran, calls for making the party a people’s movement

On a Saturday afternoon in August 2006, long-time Congress leader and former Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Dhanuskodi Athithan, his wife and daughter were on their way to Thoothukudi from Tirunelveli. It was supposed to be a short trip considering the distance (about 45 km).

But it turned out to be a treacherous journey for the former Union Minister; The car in which he was traveling met with an accident near Vagaikulam, resulting in the death of his wife and serious injuries to everyone else in the vehicle. The Congress leader lost his left hand.

I’m still interested in politics

A traumatic period in his life did not prevent him from pursuing his normal activities in public life. Although he did not contest any elections after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, where he was elected for the fifth term from Tirunelveli, Mr. Athithan continues to remain in politics and follows all developments closely. A few days ago, he attended a public meeting of Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin at Palayamkottai.

Talking about the issue of reviving Congress’ hopes across the country, Mr. Athithan said in an interview HinduHe emphasized that the party should turn itself into a “people’s movement” by doing field work and dealing with people’s problems. “Look at Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts where the party is still strong. This is because of this approach,” the former Union Minister said.

Asked whether party leaders in Tamil Nadu would have the confidence to transform the party into a people’s movement after the organization had served as a junior ally of any of the Dravidian parties for the last 55 years, he replied, “It is the duty of the leadership to do so. It would be good if it displays its leadership strength,” reminding that GK Moopanar, former chief of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, showed the way and stood firm on strengthening the party. more.

Mr. Athithan had followed Moopanar when he founded the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) in April 1996. He returned to the Congress in August 2002 when the TMC(M) merged with the national party. He narrated how Moopanar convinced him to become the Union Minister when the United Front government was in office between 1996-98, but he had suggested the TMC(M) founder to give the opportunity to N. Dennis. He represented Nagercoil (now Kanniyakumari) in the Lok Sabha for six terms.

‘The base is not narrow’

On the perception that “the party is a force to be reckoned with” in southern areas due to its following among certain sections such as Scheduled Castes and religious minorities, Mr Athithan disagreed with the view that the party has a narrow base. “Nadars have been the source of support for the party since the days of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. The same goes for the Scheduled Castes,” he said.

When asked about his advice to those facing difficult times similar to the one he experienced nearly 20 years ago, Mr. Athithan’s response was: “Believe in yourself.” He added that he resumed his political activity within six months of the accident.