Congress leader P Chidambaram said asked the cadres to strengthen the party in Tamil Nadu before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. (File photo)
The hard work of Congress was a key factor in its ally DMK winning several seats in the May 16 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said in Pudukottai today.
"Though DMK is a strong political party, Congress party's hard work was a key factor for their victory," he told party workers in a meeting to discuss the coming civil polls.
He made the remarks while referring to the victory of DMK-Congress alliance in four constituencies (Alangudi, Tirumayam, Karaikudi, and Tirupattur) in his native Sivaganga out of the total of six seats in the May 16 polls.
While DMK won three, Congress bagged one seat.
"The winning DMK candidates themselves have said that Congress's hard work helped," Mr Chidambaram said.
Pudukottai District Congress Committee chief and two time former legislator T Pushparaj said, "He (Chidambaram) said that the path to democracy does not end with 234 (Assembly) constituencies."
"He wanted us to prepare for local body elections and prove the party's strength," Mr Pushparaj told news agency PTI.
Mr Chidambaram said the party is robust in Kanyakumari and Sivaganga, but not so in other parts of the state. He asked the cadres to strengthen the party before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
He said that he is ready to work alongside party workers in efforts to strengthen the party.
Soon after the election results were out on May 19, Mr Chidambaram had said, "I proudly convey that the reason for this victory in Sivaganga is the humility of DMK and the hard work of Congress cadres."