Chidambaram junior's formula for Congress

Chennai: Fire brand Tamil Nadu Congress leader EVKS Elangovan is no longer alone in his demand for a better deal from the DMK in the State. Ahead of next year's crucial election, Karti P Chidambaram, AICC member and son of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has proposed a seat sharing formula.

The Congress, he told NDTV, should contest in at least a third of the Assembly seats. With Jayalalithaa trying hard to woo the Congress, the ruling DMK is under pressure to give its UPA ally a share of power in 2011.

NDTV: Are you the new aggressive face of the Congress in Tamil Nadu?

Karti P Chidambaram, AICC Member: I am articulating the point of view of the unheard Congress worker in Tamil Nadu. Out of the 39 Parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu, there's not a single Congress MLA in 15 constituencies. Even in the 3 constituencies in the State Capital - Chennai, we don't have a single Congress MLA. I propose a minimum of 2 seats per Parliamentary constituency, which is 78 in all.

NDTV: Is this a trial balloon, sabre rattling, speaking out of turn or all the above?

Karti P Chidambaram, AICC Member: Well, this is my proposal and it has touched a chord with most Congressmen in the State.