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Compulsions Of Alliance Politics
By: Geetika JainWhen it comes to forging alliances on Indian political scenario (that too just before the polls), ideologies take a back seat and opportunism reigns supreme. Steady friends have no qualms about deserting allies and staunch foes readily forget differences to court erstwhile enemies.
By: Geetika Jain
When it comes to forging alliances on Indian political scenario (that too just before the polls), ideologies take a back seat and opportunism reigns supreme. Steady friends have no qualms about deserting allies and staunch foes readily forget differences to court erstwhile enemies. With the success of National Democratic Alliance in keeping its flock together for one full term, Congress has also started toying with the idea of duplicating the feat. It is the latest one to be struck by the arrow of coalition Cupid. Congress, as a party under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, seems to have come of age and seems to be comprehending the reality of conglomerate politics. Congress has realized that the “go alone” policy is not politically expedient any more. The advancing of Lok Sabha elections to April 2004 has left Congress with meagre time to cement an unshakable joint force. Still, it is exploring all possible avenues and holding talks with all potential parties. The party is making the deal attractive for other parties to join hands. The most interesting case studies to learn about coalition politics come from down south. While BJP has bridged gaps with the fickle Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK, Congress has successfully wooed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK). The old rivals who never saw eye to eye are now gazing at each other with bated breath. With DMK’s recent exit from NDA, its joining the Congress bandwagon was almost certain. In Tamil Nadu, Congress has reached an understanding with DMK, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(MDMK), the Left parties and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, posing a formidable challenge to the AIADMK-BJP combine. NCP has already reached an understanding on seat sharing with Congress in Maharashtra. It was again the political necessity that made Sharad Pawar forget the fiery foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi had listed both Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in the same breath as potential partners. Mulayam Singh has already ruled out any understanding with the party that courts BSP. On its part, BSP too seems to be on its own trip. In fact, Yadav has declared that he will extend only issue-based support and not join any front before the polls. Veteran that he is, Yadav is keeping his cards close to the chest. This way he can ensure a good bargain after the poll results. Is he eyeing the ‘big seat’ in the scenario of hung House? As far as Bahujan Samaj Party is concerned, it seems ‘behen ji’ is not easy to be courted. Even Sonia’s personal Birthday wish could not do the trick. She has already estranged ties with BJP and wrapping into Congress fold would require more conceding on the latter’s part. However, knowing Mayawati, nothing should be said with certainty. She is the champion of opportunist politics and would wait for numbers to become clearer before finally playing her cards. Even returning to BJP cannot be completely ruled out. In Bihar, Congress has successfully forged an alliance with Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan and surprise, surprise… Rashtriya Janata Dal together. Laloo Prasad Yadav could be lauded for having shown conjugal devotion to Congress in the state of Bihar. He seems to be a staunch paramour of the troubled queen. Laloo has already brushed aside the foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi and is willing to endorse her in toto for the big fight. With the kind of support that Yadav-Paswan enjoy in Bihar, the combination could pose a serious challenge to the BJP-Janata Dal(U) alliance. In Andhra Pradesh, poll alliance between Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) would work for former’s benefit in the state. NDA coalition seems comfortable as of now. Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party and Samata Party have already sworn allegiance to the current alliance. Considering the unctuous functioning of the incumbent coalition, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Congress takes a leaf out of the rule-book of NDA coalition to make sure that the new found associates don’t desert it for trivial benefits. Despite Congress’ alliances at this stage, the fidelity of the partners would always be under doubt. These partnerships are bound to be fickle and horse-trading after the polls is inevitable. Congress, with its inexperience and amateurish approach in the field of forging alliances, would have to watch its step before it leaps. Polls are round the corner and the increased mobility in the corridors of politics for fabricating joint fronts in the race to reach the magical figure of 272 would provide for good snoop to all the newsmongers in the coming few days. Necessity and convenience would certainly become the mother of all coalitions that see light of the day for coming Lok Sabha elections.
When it comes to forging alliances on Indian political scenario (that too just before the polls), ideologies take a back seat and opportunism reigns supreme. Steady friends have no qualms about deserting allies and staunch foes readily forget differences to court erstwhile enemies. With the success of National Democratic Alliance in keeping its flock together for one full term, Congress has also started toying with the idea of duplicating the feat. It is the latest one to be struck by the arrow of coalition Cupid. Congress, as a party under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, seems to have come of age and seems to be comprehending the reality of conglomerate politics. Congress has realized that the “go alone” policy is not politically expedient any more. The advancing of Lok Sabha elections to April 2004 has left Congress with meagre time to cement an unshakable joint force. Still, it is exploring all possible avenues and holding talks with all potential parties. The party is making the deal attractive for other parties to join hands. The most interesting case studies to learn about coalition politics come from down south. While BJP has bridged gaps with the fickle Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK, Congress has successfully wooed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK). The old rivals who never saw eye to eye are now gazing at each other with bated breath. With DMK’s recent exit from NDA, its joining the Congress bandwagon was almost certain. In Tamil Nadu, Congress has reached an understanding with DMK, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(MDMK), the Left parties and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, posing a formidable challenge to the AIADMK-BJP combine. NCP has already reached an understanding on seat sharing with Congress in Maharashtra. It was again the political necessity that made Sharad Pawar forget the fiery foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi had listed both Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in the same breath as potential partners. Mulayam Singh has already ruled out any understanding with the party that courts BSP. On its part, BSP too seems to be on its own trip. In fact, Yadav has declared that he will extend only issue-based support and not join any front before the polls. Veteran that he is, Yadav is keeping his cards close to the chest. This way he can ensure a good bargain after the poll results. Is he eyeing the ‘big seat’ in the scenario of hung House? As far as Bahujan Samaj Party is concerned, it seems ‘behen ji’ is not easy to be courted. Even Sonia’s personal Birthday wish could not do the trick. She has already estranged ties with BJP and wrapping into Congress fold would require more conceding on the latter’s part. However, knowing Mayawati, nothing should be said with certainty. She is the champion of opportunist politics and would wait for numbers to become clearer before finally playing her cards. Even returning to BJP cannot be completely ruled out. In Bihar, Congress has successfully forged an alliance with Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan and surprise, surprise… Rashtriya Janata Dal together. Laloo Prasad Yadav could be lauded for having shown conjugal devotion to Congress in the state of Bihar. He seems to be a staunch paramour of the troubled queen. Laloo has already brushed aside the foreign origin issue of Sonia Gandhi and is willing to endorse her in toto for the big fight. With the kind of support that Yadav-Paswan enjoy in Bihar, the combination could pose a serious challenge to the BJP-Janata Dal(U) alliance. In Andhra Pradesh, poll alliance between Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) would work for former’s benefit in the state. NDA coalition seems comfortable as of now. Trinamool Congress, Telugu Desam Party and Samata Party have already sworn allegiance to the current alliance. Considering the unctuous functioning of the incumbent coalition, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Congress takes a leaf out of the rule-book of NDA coalition to make sure that the new found associates don’t desert it for trivial benefits. Despite Congress’ alliances at this stage, the fidelity of the partners would always be under doubt. These partnerships are bound to be fickle and horse-trading after the polls is inevitable. Congress, with its inexperience and amateurish approach in the field of forging alliances, would have to watch its step before it leaps. Polls are round the corner and the increased mobility in the corridors of politics for fabricating joint fronts in the race to reach the magical figure of 272 would provide for good snoop to all the newsmongers in the coming few days. Necessity and convenience would certainly become the mother of all coalitions that see light of the day for coming Lok Sabha elections.