Congress MP Karti Chidambaram rejected claims that the party's exit from an alliance deprived the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of power in Tamil Nadu.
The dispute highlights a growing rift between two major political entities in the region, potentially altering the landscape of future coalition agreements and governance stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview with NDTV, Chidambaram addressed accusations from the DMK regarding the loss of power. He said the DMK did not have the numbers to form the government even if the Congress had stayed.
Chidambaram described the party's decision to change its political alignment as a strategic move to ensure regional stability. He said the decision to switch sides helped create the possibility of a stable government, a move that is normal in a parliamentary democracy.
The Congress representative argued that the DMK's narrative ignores the mathematical reality of the seat counts. By shifting its position, Chidambaram said Congress facilitated a more viable governing structure rather than obstructing the DMK's path to leadership.
This public disagreement follows a period of tension between the two parties over seat sharing and leadership roles. The exchange underscores the volatility of alliance politics in Tamil Nadu, where small shifts in party loyalty can determine the viability of a state government.
“The DMK did not have the numbers to form the government even if the Congress had stayed.”
The friction between Congress and the DMK suggests a breakdown in trust between the two parties. By framing the alliance shift as a necessity for stability rather than a betrayal, Congress is attempting to justify its autonomy in Tamil Nadu's political sphere and distance itself from the DMK's electoral shortcomings.
