Congress MP Karti Chidambaram reaffirms that INDI Alliance is strong in Tamil Nadu
Even as he acknowledged that there was a need to address the issues within the Tamil Nadu unit of Congress, party's Lok Sabha MP Karti P Chidambaram said the INDI Alliance was strong in the state. Chidambaram also clarified that his father, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's remarks about the INDI Alliance were taken out of context. 'Do not criticise a speech based on a social media headline instead of hearing it completely,' he said. advertisementThe former Union finance minister had recently voiced concerns about the INDIA bloc, saying he wasn't sure whether the alliance was still intact. "The future (of INDIA bloc) is not so bright, as Mritunjay Singh Yadav said. He seems to feel that the alliance is still intact, but I am not sure. It is only Salman (Khurshid) who can answer because he was part of the negotiating team for the INDIA bloc. If the alliance is totally intact, I will be very happy. But it shows at the seams that it is frayed," Chidambaram had said at Speaking at the launch of Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav's book 'Contesting Democratic Deficit' on May 15.
The former Union finance minister had also warned that the INDIA bloc was fighting against a 'formidable machinery', which must be fought on all fronts.advertisementThe Sivaganga MP, too, conceded that the INDI Alliance was not as strong at the national level as the BJP-led coalition. He did, however, insist that in Tamil Nadu, the alliance, led by the DMK, remained firm and well-positioned to win the next state Assembly election.Speaking in Coimbatore, Chidambaram remarked on the state's evolving political landscape. He hinted that several aspects were still in flux while recognising the potential of the newly formed party led by actor Vijay. He noted that the AIADMK, now allied with the BJP, continues to command a significant vote base. 'As per my interaction on the ground, the base level cadres are not happy with the alliance and question what is the change of stance that led to the alliance in a year of exiting the alliance? The newly formed Vijay party has an energy which I accept but moulding it into a political party can only be ascertained after settling. Only enthusiasm can't turn into vote until there is a political formation,' he explained.Addressing the Congress party's current status in Tamil Nadu, the Sivaganga MP noted that the party is in a peculiar position, neither part of the ruling government nor a formal Opposition. He expressed the party's aspiration to be part of the state Cabinet if given a chance, drawing a comparison to other coalition arrangements. advertisement'Every party stands in elections with the expectation to win maximum constituencies and to get a share in the government. If we get a chance, it is our wish to be part of the government and our members becoming ministers, given a chance. In Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu got absolute majority and even then he included Jana Sena and BJP in the Cabinet. Not just Congress party, even VCK and Communist party will have such a wish,' he said.He acknowledged internal challenges within the Tamil Nadu Congress, including factionalism and insufficient focus on local issues. 'There are of course several fundamental issues in the party which have led to various groups which need to be corrected. We are an alliance party for the ruling party in election but are not part of the government nor in an Opposition party. We are in a 'No Man's Land'. We projected GK Moopanar as a CM candidate lastly and after that no one. Congress party is not addressing specific issues of Tamil Nadu and only concentrating on National matters. No matter who is made as a TNCC President, they are only allowed to work in a constrained circle,' he added.
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