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Karti Chidambaram's "Cut the Cake" Metaphor for TN Seat-Sharing Talks

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has framed the upcoming seat-sharing negotiations with the DMK as a complex process of dividing the electoral "cake" among coalition partners. He confirmed that a committee for these talks will be formed on February 22, noting that expectations are high and that some smaller parties are keeping their options open. The discussions follow public remarks from other Congress leaders emphasizing the party's right to a share in governance. The ruling DMK-led alliance won 159 seats in the 234-member assembly during the last state elections.

Key Points: Karti Chidambaram on DMK-Congress Seat-Sharing for Tamil Nadu Polls

  • Seat-sharing talks begin Feb 22
  • Alliance with DMK since 2004
  • Smaller parties may join coalition
  • Some parties "flirting on both sides"
2 min read

"Cut the cake and share it": Karti Chidambaram on seat-sharing with DMK ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly polls

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram describes coalition seat allocation as "cut the cake and share it" ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly election talks with DMK.

"You have to cut the cake and share it among all parties within the coalition. - Karti Chidambaram"

New Delhi, February 15

Amid ongoing seat-sharing discussions between the Congress and the ruling DMK ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Sunday emphasised that allocating seats in a coalition was complex and required careful negotiation.

He used the metaphor "cut the cake and share it" to describe how seats are distributed among coalition partners.

In an interview with ANI, Chidambaram noted that the DMK has been an ally since 2004 and announced that a committee to discuss seat-sharing will be formed on February 22. He added that expectations are high, smaller parties may join the coalition, and some are "flirting on both sides", keeping their options open with other political groups.

"The alliance with the DMK has been there since 2004. The DMK has now announced that the committee will be formed on February 22. That is not something I am going to sit here and decide over a table of dry fruits. There are 234 seats. You have to cut the cake and share it among all parties within the coalition. We'll have to see whether new partners are coming in. People have contested a certain number of seats the last time. Of course, everybody's expectation is always high. But within this formation, there might be some smaller parties which might join. There are a few parties which are flirting on both sides as well," he said.

This comes after Congress MP Manickam Tagore referred to a remark by Tamil Nadu Minister Raja Kannappan, who predicted DMK could win 160 seats while contesting 170 constituencies in the state elections. He stressed that power-sharing is essential and that a share in governance is the party's right, adding that the people would ultimately decide.

The Tamil Nadu assembly has 234 seats, of which the Secular Progressive Alliance, led by DMK, won 159 in the 2021 elections. The DMK alone contested 173 seats and won 133. Meanwhile, the Congress contested 18 of 25 seats and won 12.

On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai stated that alliance talks with DMK are set to begin on February 22, asserting that the INDIA bloc remains united despite BJP efforts to divide the vote bank.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday assured DMK cadre that he "will take care" of the seat-sharing arrangements with its allies for the state's assembly elections.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a voter from Chennai, I'm tired of these endless seat-sharing dramas before every election. Just tell us your vision for the state! We care about jobs, water, and infrastructure, not which party gets which constituency. 🤦‍♀️
S
Suresh O
Karti Chidambaram is right to point out the smaller parties "flirting on both sides." This happens every time. They wait for the best deal, which often leads to last-minute chaos. Strong alliances need clarity and trust, not just calculations.
A
Ananya R
Respectfully, I think Congress should get more seats this time. They performed well in the seats they contested last election. If the DMK is a true ally, they should reward performance. A fair share is crucial for a united front against the BJP-led NDA.
M
Michael C
Watching from abroad, the coalition politics in Tamil Nadu is fascinating. The "Secular Progressive Alliance" seems stable, but the internal negotiations are always a delicate dance. Hope they finalize it soon and focus on the campaign.
K
Karthik V
Stalin saying he "will take care" of seat-sharing is the key line. The DMK is the big brother here. Ultimately, they will decide the final distribution. Congress and others have to accept that reality for the alliance to survive. Let's see how it plays out!

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