Chennai: Refuting criticism that he had denigrated Congress icon K Kamaraj, Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, today said he had only batted for projection of development goals along with the slogan of "Kamaraj rule," to win people's support.
At a Youth Congress meeting here on November 20, Karti, an AICC member, had said "even as we go ahead with the slogan of bringing back the rule of Kamaraj, and historical achievements, we also need to put forth development plans for Tamil Nadu."
The remark triggered a furore with some leaders alleging that the iconic Congress leader had been denigrated.
"Such criticism without properly understanding it has political motives," an unfazed Karti said in a statement.
US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the popular support by effectively using slogans like "Yes We Can," and "Modi Sarkar," slogans respectively, he reiterated.
"It is not possible to win the support of people only by harping on the historic sacrifices and achievements of the party," Karti stressed.
"Confidence needs to be built among people about our present stance and future plans by putting forward growth plans for Tamil Nadu.
"I did not express any opinion which denigrated great leader Kamaraj whose work and sacrifices deserve huge respect," Karti asserted.
In a sharp reaction to his remarks, former Union Minister G K Vasan, who quit the Congress early this month, said "without speaking about the achievements of Kamaraj, it is not possible to win people's support."
Karti had earlier fired a salvo at the AICC leadership after Vasan quit the party, disapproving of the role of high command's observers in managing affairs of party state units.
He had expressed the view that a Kerala model would best be suited for TNCC, saying in Kerala, Congress leaders despite differences evolve a consensus on issues and then approach the high command for approval, drawing a sharp reaction from PCC chief E V K S Elangovan.
Elangovan had said such opinions could be expressed within the party fora and not in the media.
