{
  "id": 59161,
  "title": "DMK slams Congress for 'trading trust for berths'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/dmk-slams-congress-for-trading-trust-for-berths",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T21:37:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dmk-slams-congress-for-trading-trust-for-berths/articleshow/132813899.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The DMK vehemently refuted Congress' claim that supporting their government's proposed bill to increase the Lok Sabha's strength and delimit constituencies is a betrayal of Tamil Nadu, as political circles buzzed about the regional party's potential backing. Following Rahul Gandhi's visit to Tamil Nadu, where he labeled any party supporting the amendment bill in Parliament as a \"21st century Ettappan,\" a historical figure infamous for treachery, senior DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran responded with a strong rebuke. Maran accused Congress of trading the DMK's trust for mere ministerial positions, referring to the Congress' decision to sever ties with the DMK and TVR as the act of poisonous snakes selling trust to buy power. This retort highlighted the lingering sense of betrayal among the Dravidian party over Congress' unexpected allegiance to their rival after being allied with the DMK during the party's years in office. The BJP expressed hope that the DMK's growing animosity towards Congress would aid its efforts to gain the party's support for crucial legislative measures, particularly delimitation, in Parliament. Despite the BJP not having taken any official steps to revive the bill, which was previously defeated by an united Opposition, DMK has signaled its willingness to reassess the matter after carefully studying it, emphasizing that the proposed law should not adversely affect the interests of South India. Rahul Gandhi's remarks were also seen as an acknowledgment by the Opposition that the DMK may reconsider its stance on the bill, which critics claim could enable the BJP-led governing alliance to manipulate constituency boundaries for their advantage in the 2029 Lok Sabha election.",
  "summary": "DMK fiercely responded to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of supporting a bill to increase Lok Sabha seats. Senior DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran accused Congress of betraying trust for ministerial positions. The BJP hopes DMK's anger with Congress will aid its legislative agenda. DMK has indicated openness to the bill after studying its impact. Rahul Gandhi's comments acknowledge the possibility of DMK…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Congress slams Assam government’s use of NSA against land rights activist",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/congress-slams-assam-governments-use-of-nsa-against-land-rights",
        "published": "2026-08-02T11:01:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}