Congress, DMK high commands will strike seat-sharing deal, says Chidambaram

High commands of the Congress and the DMK would deal with seats negotiation for the upcoming Assembly election, said senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram here on Thursday (January 29, 2026). “The talks between the Congress and the DMK high commands began yesterday [on Wednesday). Subsequently, the party presidents will hold negotiations and strike a deal that will have a binding on all the cadres [of both the parties],” he said.

High commands of the Congress and the DMK would deal with seats negotiation for the upcoming Assembly election, said senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram here on Thursday (January 29, 2026).

“The talks between the Congress and the DMK high commands began yesterday [on Wednesday). Subsequently, the party presidents will hold negotiations and strike a deal that will have a binding on all the cadres [of both the parties],” he said.

Asked about smaller parties demanding cabinet berths, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Smaller parties will have small desires. Bigger parties have their concern over the country.”

To a question on the allegation that the BJP is threatening parties to align with it, the former Union Minister said it had been the habit of the BJP. “Maharashtra is the best example for that. Breaking political parties and making one faction to join the BJP alliance using all forces has been its habit,” Mr. Chidambaram charged.

On the spiralling gold price, he said people were increasingly buying gold considering it a safe investment as rupee value was going down due to inflation. This was a vicious cycle having effect on each other. “The Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister should address this issue. It will be known soon [in the Union Budget],” he said.

Mr. Chidambaram refused to buy the claim of the Union Government of having lifted 25 crore people from poverty. “We can believe if World Bank, the IMF or economic experts had said this, though we cannot verify it,” he said.