Congress and DMK can still work together in Parliament, says Karti P. Chidambaram

Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram clarified on Friday that the party’s withdrawal from the DMK-led alliance after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections would not hinder broader national cooperation within the INDIA bloc. He noted that Congress maintains alliances with CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress in Parliament despite competing with them in state elections, calling for a ‘sober’ assessment of the split’s impact. Chidambaram attributed the Congress-DMK alliance’s collapse to long-standing tensions, including uneven power-sharing at the ground level and perceived inequities during local elections. He described the relationship as ‘step-brotherly,’ arguing that the Delhi high command sought a ‘new relationship’ with emerging parties like the TVK. The Congress now holds two Cabinet posts and a Rajya Sabha seat in the current Tamil Nadu government, though he stressed that local body elections would test the alliance’s viability. On the TVK’s rise, Chidambaram dismissed skepticism about its longevity, citing its unexpected 108-seat win as proof of its staying power. He credited the party’s success to a ‘micro-campaign’ in homes and unconventional voter engagement, which traditional parties overlooked. Pollsters, police, and even Congress workers underestimated the TVK’s appeal, he said, noting its candidate-agnostic support centered on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s leadership. Chidambaram praised the TVK’s secular stance, though he cautioned that its political trajectory remained untested. He acknowledged the BJP’s influence tactics but argued the TVK’s independence and Vijay’s governance would determine its future. The Congress MP refused to dismiss the TVK as a ‘one-election aberration,’ calling it a ‘black swan’ event reshaping Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The interview underscored Congress’s strategic shift toward newer alliances while navigating legacy rivalries. Chidambaram’s remarks highlighted the party’s dual approach: competing with DMK and TMC in states while collaborating with them nationally, a balance he framed as pragmatic for long-term political stability.