AS FM, he destroyed Economy, as Prez Candidate weakened UPA

NDA emerged stronger

As Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee virtually destroyed the booming Indian economy. By imposing himself on the party as the Presidential candidate, he has weakened the Congress and the UPA. A senior NCP leader P A Sangma dumped the UPA and Mamata Banerjee is sitting on the fence. Mukherjee had gone back to his old friends - the Left  and Mamata may end up supporting Sangma.

The NDA may look divided as it lost JD (U) and Shiv Sena to Mukherjee. But in the final run up, NDA will be able to retain both and add AIADMK and BJD in the kitty. The NDA got a toy hold in the North East and support base in the Tribal belt across the country as a feel-good factor by supporting P A Sangma.

Therefore, NDA has rather emerged stronger as it got three allies – Sangma. Jaya and Naveen Patnaik.

The Left parties may look divided on the Pranab Mukherjee as RSP and CPI decided to abstain. But the Left re-opened its pipeline with the Congress once again which was buried in 2008. This again will damage the Congress more though Pranab Mukherjee may get his votes.

All these are no good sign for the UPA despite a presidential win for Pranab who may barely get 55% of popular votes.

L K Advani prevailed in his own party as Nitin Gadkari left for Nagpur and Arun Jaitley finally came on the board.  It is yet to be seen who will be election incharge of P A Sangma- BJP’s Sushma Swaraj Swaraj or someone from the AIADMK and BJD.

 The way Naveen Patnaik thanked the BJP for backing Sangma as the presidential candidate, it was clear that sooner than later he will be part of the NDA. The BJP has accepted the role of a junior partner in the state, finally.

Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) should be a happy man too as NDA’s convener, his kitty will swell. TMC leader Mamata banerjee is maintaining a complete silence. If reports are to be believed, all out efforts are on by the BJP leadership to persuade her to support P A Sangma.

 It is also unclear what will happen to Agatha sangma who is an NCP MP and  minister in the UPA government at the centre. The Congress has left it to NCP to take a decision in this regard and Sharad Pawar will have a tough time.