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Congress Empowers Chidambaram to Seal Crucial DMK Seat-Sharing Deal

The Congress high command has authorised senior leader P. Chidambaram to finalise the seat-sharing agreement with the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. This follows approval from Rahul Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge, aiming to conclude negotiations swiftly. The DMK has offered 27 Assembly constituencies, with indications it may be raised to 28, and a Rajya Sabha seat is part of the broader compromise. The move signals both parties' intent to preserve their alliance and avoid uncertainty ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Key Points: Congress-DMK Seat-Sharing Pact Finalized by Chidambaram

  • Chidambaram authorised to finalise deal
  • Congress likely to get 27-28 Assembly seats
  • Rajya Sabha seat part of compromise
  • Alliance keen to avoid prolonged uncertainty
2 min read

Congress authorises Chidambaram to finalise seat-sharing pact with DMK for TN Assembly polls

Congress authorises P. Chidambaram to finalise seat-sharing with DMK for Tamil Nadu polls, with deal expected on 27-28 seats and a Rajya Sabha berth.

"effectively places the experienced former Union Minister at the centre of negotiations - party sources"

Chennai, March 4

The Congress high command has authorised senior party leader P. Chidambaram to finalise the long-awaited seat-sharing agreement with Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for the upcoming elections.

The decision was taken following consultations among the party's top leadership in New Delhi, signalling that the Congress leadership is keen to conclude the negotiations quickly and move forward with election preparations in the state.

According to party sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has conveyed his approval for the arrangement to party President Mallikarjun Kharge. Acting on that approval, Kharge has entrusted Chidambaram with the responsibility of holding the final round of discussions with the DMK leadership and sealing the alliance agreement.

The move effectively places the experienced former Union Minister at the centre of negotiations with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's party, which heads the ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the DMK has so far offered 27 Assembly constituencies to the Congress as part of the alliance formula. However, there are indications that the number may be slightly increased to 28 seats in the final agreement to accommodate the Congress leadership's demands. In addition to the Assembly seats, the Congress is also likely to receive one Rajya Sabha seat as part of the broader political understanding between the two allies.

Party insiders say the Rajya Sabha berth is expected to be a key component of the compromise formula designed to maintain equilibrium within the alliance.

Seat-sharing negotiations between the DMK and Congress had been continuing for several weeks and were marked by intense discussions, with the Congress initially seeking a larger share of constituencies.

The talks had raised speculation about potential strains within the alliance, which has been a central pillar of Tamil Nadu's ruling coalition. However, the latest development indicates that both parties are keen to preserve the partnership and avoid prolonged uncertainty ahead of the election schedule, which is expected to be announced soon by the Election Commission.

With the high command's authorisation now in place, party leaders expect the agreement to be finalised shortly, paving the way for the announcement of candidate lists and the start of coordinated campaign activities between the DMK and the Congress in the run-up to the elections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Finally some progress! The delay was causing unnecessary anxiety among party workers. 27-28 seats seems fair for Congress's strength in the state. The Rajya Sabha seat is a smart addition to the deal. 🤝 Now focus on winning those seats!
K
Karthik V
While I support the alliance, I wish Congress would build its own base in TN instead of always being a junior partner. We need strong state leadership. This perpetual dependence on DMK isn't healthy for the party's long-term future in the south.
P
Priya S
As a Tamilian, I just hope this alliance delivers good governance and development. Too much time is spent on seat-sharing drama every election. Let's see who the candidates are – that matters more than the number of seats.
M
Michael C
Interesting to watch from a political strategy perspective. Chidambaram is a good choice for this negotiation. Stability in the alliance is key for the ruling coalition. The Rajya Sabha seat as a balancing factor is a classic Indian political compromise.
A
Anjali F
Hope they choose strong, winnable candidates and not just give tickets to relatives of leaders. TN needs MLAs who will work for the people. The alliance is strong on paper, but ground-level work matters most. All the best to both parties! 🙏

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