New Delhi: The DMK–Congress alliance has finally been concluded, with senior Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram seen as a key figure in bringing the talks to a close.
According to party sources, Chidambaram was firm that the Congress should not allow the party to drift towards actor Vijay’s side, and pushed for the alliance to continue. Leaders claim the arrangement was settled at 28 Assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha seat.
However, the outcome is said to have displeased Rahul Gandhi, who already had differences with Chidambaram. Sources say Rahul questioned the deal and suggested that Congress should have secured two Rajya Sabha seats.
Senior leaders further claim the episode has also created resentment between Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They say Chidambaram spoke directly to Sonia and secured her approval, while Sonia insisted the party must stay aligned with the DMK.
Congress leaders also point to a visible chill in personal access: while Chidambaram is said to have open access to Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10 Janpath, they claim the doors of Rahul Gandhi’s Sunehri Bagh home have effectively been closed to him.
