Chidambaram wants his son to log in at Sivaganga

NEW DELHI: Finance minister P Chidambaram is reluctant to fight the 2014 election, amid indications that the Congress leadership would take a final decision on his plea to be kept out of the contest.


The top UPA minister has conveyed his mind to the party. However, AICC is keen that its key MPs and ministers take the field to quell the impression of Congress being downcast about its prospects.

The thumbs down from the seven-term MP from Sivaganga comes in the wake of Congress failing to find an ally in Tamil Nadu after reaping a rich harvest in two successive elections in alliance with DMK. The party's chances are said to be bleak in the 2014 contest. Former state chief and union minister Thangkabalu has also refused to contest the election as has union minister GK Vasan.

Congress sources said Chidambaram would want his son Karthi to replace him in Sivaganga but the final word on the passing of the baton would depend on the leadership.

There is an outside possibility that the party may ask some other leader to replace Chidambaram. The acceptance of Chidambaram's son is seen as the only sticking point in deciding who gets to contest from Sivaganga.

While Congress has decided to contest all the 39 seats on its own, the party is not hopeful of any success. It aims to use the polls to revive its presence across the state where its share has been restricted in view of alliance with DMK in the last decade.