Latest news with #ContestingDemocraticDeficit
India Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
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 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 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 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 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. advertisementIN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Karti Chidambaram Asserts INDI Alliance's Strength In Tamil Nadu, Calls For Reforms Within State Congress
Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram reaffirmed the strength of the INDI Alliance in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing that the coalition remains solid in the state despite national-level challenges. Speaking in Coimbatore, the Sivaganga MP clarified that recent remarks made by his father, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, about the alliance were misinterpreted, mainly due to selective social media headlines. He urged people to listen to full speeches rather than forming opinions based on fragmented online narratives. The elder Chidambaram had expressed doubts about the unity of the INDI bloc while attending the launch of *Contesting Democratic Deficit*, sparking debates about internal discord. Karti acknowledged that while the alliance might appear strained at the national level, in Tamil Nadu—under the leadership of the DMK—it continues to be robust and electorally viable. On Tamil Nadu's dynamic political scenario, Karti pointed out that actor Vijay's new political party shows promise and energy but added that enthusiasm alone doesn't convert into electoral success. He also noted dissatisfaction among grassroots AIADMK workers regarding their party's renewed alliance with the BJP. Speaking about the Congress party's role in Tamil Nadu, Karti admitted the party occupies a vague space—neither in government nor in opposition. He expressed a desire for Congress to have ministerial representation if the alliance secures a win, drawing parallels with Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's inclusive Cabinet approach. He further highlighted several structural issues within the Tamil Nadu Congress, including factionalism and a lack of regional focus. 'The party has been fixated on national issues, sidelining Tamil Nadu-specific problems. Leadership changes haven't helped much as TNCC presidents operate within a limited scope,' he said. Karti concluded by emphasizing the importance of organizational reforms and reconnecting with grassroots workers to reclaim the party's influence in the state.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Future of INDIA bloc not so bright: Chidambaram
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has openly questioned the cohesion of the Opposition alliance, warning that it appears 'frayed at the seams' and might not withstand the political juggernaut that is the BJP. Speaking at the launch of Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav's book 'Contesting Democratic Deficit', Chidambaram said, '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, a Rajya Sabha MP, said. He also hoped that the alliance can 'still be put together, there's still time'. The former Union finance minister warned that the INDIA bloc was fighting against a 'formidable machinery', which must be fought on all fronts. 'In my experience and my reading of history, there has been no political party so formidably organised as the BJP. It's not just another political party. It's a machine behind a machine and the two machines control all the machineries in India. 'From the Election Commission to the lowest police station in the country, they (BJP) are able to control and sometimes capture these institutions. It is a formidable machinery, as much as can be allowed in a democracy,' Chidambaram said. In the book, Khurshid and Yadav reflect on the Congress' revival efforts ahead of last year's Lok Sabha elections -- from the emotionally-charged 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to the 'historic' formation of the INDIA bloc comprising diverse political forces. Khurshid and Yadav recount how the opposition parties rallied 'to defend the idea of an inclusive, pluralistic India'. Chidambaram said that poll results have shown that no one can undermine elections in India, which 'still remains an electoral democracy'. 'You can interfere with elections in India. You can tinker with them. But you can't get away with elections. You can't have elections where the ruling party gets away with 98 per cent of the votes... That is not possible in India,' Chidambaram said. The Congress leader added that if the 2029 general elections take a decisive turn to strengthen the BJP, 'we are beyond repair'. 'The 2029 elections are critical and must return us to a full-fledged democracy,' he said. Concurring with Chidambaram, Khurshid said there were issues concerning the INDIA bloc that needed to be addressed. 'We need to address the concerns. The takeaway from Chidambaram's views is that we have to be prepared for a very major battle in 2029. We have to deal with the whole idea of how to get the alliance partners together,' the former foreign minister said. He added that the opposition parties needed to think on a larger scale if they were to 'make a massive reversal' in the electoral trends. 'What we have learnt is that we must think on a larger scale. If we only think how many seats we will contest and what will happen once the results are out, we will miss out on the major thing we set out to do, which is to affect a massive reversal of electoral trends in the country,' the Congress leader said.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
INDIA bloc ‘frayed', says Chidambaram, calls for coordination
P Chidambaram (File photo) NEW DELHI: Congress veteran P Chidambaram has expressed concern that opposition INDIA bloc was no longer intact while stressing that an alliance was required to take on the 'formidable' BJP machinery that 'controls from Election Commission to the lowest police station' — echoing concerns among many players in the anti-BJP grouping amid growing dissonance and lack of active coordination. 'If INDIA bloc is totally intact, I am very, very happy. But it shows at the seams that it is frayed. It can be put together, there is still time,' Chidambaram said at a function to release a book on 2024 elections , 'Contesting Democratic Deficit', by Congress' Salman Khurshid and Mrityunjay Yadav. A gleeful BJP latched on to the comments to state that successive defeats had left Congress scarred. 'Chidambaram used the word 'formidable' six times to describe BJP and its election machinery in a speech that lasted less than three minutes. Successive defeats have left Congress scarred, much like Pakistan after its bases were destroyed by the IAF,' BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X. Chidambaram's remarks struck a chord with many politicians who have raised alarm that INDIA bloc has stopped having meetings and players like NCP of Sharad Pawar are seen to be toying with options outside. But the widespread lament in the bloc may not yield much result as electoral compulsions of partners are, in any case, likely to keep them away for many months. Four key allies — TMC, Congress, AAP and the Left parties — will be taking on each other in West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab in 2025 and 2026, and party leaders are loath to be seen together. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo That is the reason, sources said, the alliance partners have joined hands for coordination in Parliament but have not held meetings outside in recent months. In the most recent instance, Pawar has expressed disagreement with Congress's demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor. TMC has not supported it either. However, Congress argues that alliances in key states are intact, citing examples of Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, UP, J&K, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, which retains the INDIA flavour to a large extent. But Chidambaram's alarm appeared to emphasise that the parties could not just cobble an alliance during LS polls and needed to strengthen it during the interim period. 'In my reading of history, there has been no political party that has been so formidably organised as BJP. In every department, it is formidable. It's not another political party. It's a machine behind which is another machine. And, the two machines control all of the machinery of India — from ECI to the lowest police station in India. They are able to control and sometimes capture these institutions,' he said. 'We are still an electoral democracy. We are not a full-fledged democracy no more, we are an electoral democracy ,' he added.
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Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Cong's Chidambaram calls INDIA bloc 'frayed'; BJP mocks 'picnic alliance'
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday raised concerns about the stability and future of the opposition INDIA bloc, prompting a swift and scathing response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at the launch of the book 'Contesting Democratic Deficit' by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav in New Delhi, Chidambaram openly questioned if the INDIA bloc – a coalition of opposition parties formed to counter the BJP – remained united. 'The future [of the 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 seems that it is frayed,' Chidambaram said. #WATCH | Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram says, "The future is not so bright as Mr Mrityunjay Singh Yadav says. He seems to feel that the INDIA alliance is still intact. I am not sure. Maybe Salman (Khurshid) can answer because he was part of the negotiating team of… — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2025 He said there was still time to bring the alliance together and that events could still unfold to restore its unity. However, he stressed the formidable challenge posed by the BJP, describing it as 'so formidably organised' that the INDIA bloc would need to respond on all fronts if it hoped to compete effectively. Chidambaram further added, 'In my experience and my reading of history, there has been no political party so formidably organised as the BJP. It's not just another political party.' BJP responds to P Chidambaram's remarks Responding to Chidambaram's remarks, BJP national spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said, 'Chidambaram ji has admitted that this ghamandiya (arrogant) alliance has no basis, no future. We have said time and again that this INDI alliance is a picnic alliance which keeps travelling from place to place seeking to hatch a conspiracy against the BJP'. BJP leader Amit Malviya pointed out that Chidambaram used the word 'formidable' six times in a short speech to describe the BJP and its election machinery. In a post on X, Malviya said, 'P Chidambaram used the word 'formidable' six times to describe the BJP and its election machinery in a speech that lasted less than three minutes. The successive defeats have left the Congress scarred, much like Pakistan after its bases were destroyed by the Indian Air Force.' P. Chidambaram used the word 'formidable' six times to describe the BJP and its election machinery in a speech that lasted less than three minutes. The successive defeats have left the Congress scarred, much like Pakistan after its bases were destroyed by the Indian Air Force. — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 16, 2025 BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also labeled the INDIA bloc a 'tukde-tukde alliance,' arguing that the coalition was formed out of convenience rather than commitment, and that the public had already rejected it. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP's Kerala unit chief, described the bloc as a 'motley collection' united only by 'love for corruption'. In a post on X, he said, The @BJP4India is a formidable party bcoz it believes in strong values/principles of IndiaFirst and cares for all Indians - and so has the support of most Indians, INDI alliance is a motley collection of parties - brought together by only their love for corruption & exploitation and fear/hatred of @narendramodi ji.' The @BJP4India is a formidable party bcoz it believes in strong values/principles of IndiaFirst and cares for all Indians - and so has the support of most Indians INDI alliance is a motley collection of parties - brought together by only their love for corruption & exploitation… — Rajeev Chandrasekhar ???????? (@RajeevRC_X) May 16, 2025
