Tamil Nadu election a direct contest between DMK and AIADMK, says P Chidambaram

The upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election is not a multi-cornered contest as often portrayed, but a straight fight between the DMK and the AIADMK, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Tuesday. He made the remarks while campaigning for DMK’s Coimbatore South candidate and former minister V Senthil Balaji.

Highlighting the changing political equations in the state, Chidambaram pointed out that parties like the AMMK, which were once critical of the AIADMK, are now aligned with it. Despite the presence of smaller parties and the NOTA option, he asserted that they are unlikely to significantly impact the election outcome.

Emphasising Tamil Nadu’s economic performance, Chidambaram cited NITI Aayog data, noting that the state recorded a 9.8% growth rate in 2025–26, making it one of the top-performing states in the country.

He also raised concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise and its potential implications for southern states. “At present, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry together have 40 Lok Sabha seats, while Uttar Pradesh has 80. Under the proposed changes, Tamil Nadu’s representation may increase modestly to around 50–60 seats, whereas Uttar Pradesh’s tally could rise to 120 or even approach 140 based on population,” he said.

Chidambaram warned that such a shift could significantly widen the gap in representation and weaken Tamil Nadu’s voice in national decision-making.