The son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaram said, "The numbers are what they are, and everybody understands the numbers. The BJP might form the government, but they must realize that they are not forming a pure BJP government. There are key regional allies on which they have to depend to run the government, and this will hopefully sober them to run the government in a consultative and a collaborative manner."
Karti Warns TDP Over BJP's Past Actions
However, Karti Chidambaram expressed concerns regarding the BJP's treatment of its allies, particularly referencing Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief Chandrababu Naidu.
"Chandrababu Naidu is an old friend, and he has had bitter experiences in the past with the present leadership team of the BJP. I do not know whether all those differences have been ironed out," he noted.
Further, Chidambaram elaborated on the strained relationship between the BJP and Naidu, pointing to instances where the BJP allegedly undermined the TDP. "Chandrababu Naidu is an old friend and he had bitter experiences in the past with the present leadership of BJP...I don't know what the future holds...BJP dismembered his parliamentary party, TDP's Rajya Sabha members were poached by BJP...BJP has done 'operation lotus' on his party as well," he said.
Meanwhile, when asked about the leadership of the Opposition, Chidambaram expressed his opinion that Congress should take the lead, specifically advocating for Rahul Gandhi. "...I think the slot will come to the Congress. In my personal opinion, Rahul Gandhi himself must take up the leader of opposition on behalf of Congress," Chidambaram asserted.