Congress has tapped P Chidambaram, its Tamil Nadu heavyweight, to wrap up seat allocation talks with ally DMK for the upcoming assembly polls. The call came from the party’s central leadership post intensive New Delhi huddles, signaling a drive to conclude pacts promptly and shift gears to voter outreach.
Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement cleared the path for president Mallikarjun Kharge to delegate Chidambaram for endgame negotiations with DMK bosses. The seasoned politician now anchors parleys with the party helmed by Chief Minister MK Stalin, anchor of the incumbent coalition.
Close observers note DMK’s initial offer of 27 seats to Congress, with whispers of an adjustment to 28 in the works. A Rajya Sabha seat for Congress also looms large in the comprehensive deal, vital for maintaining coalition harmony.
Prolonged discussions had raised eyebrows over potential rifts, given Congress’s aggressive opening bid. But latest updates suggest alignment, with both outfits keen to sidestep uncertainties as elections near.
As a bedrock of Tamil Nadu’s ruling dispensation, the DMK-Congress axis wields significant sway. Chidambaram’s mandate could herald a fortified partnership, countering fragmented opposition and setting the stage for a fierce electoral showdown.