Two strange developments, one after the other, have baffled political observers signalling blossoming of bon-homie between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. While Ram Gopal Yadav, brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav was specially invited by the Congress to attend the swearing-in-ceremony of Sachin Tendulkar as Rajya Sabha MP yesterday morning, the Congress high command decided not to field any candidate against his daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav from Kannauj lok sabha bye-election.
The decision is significant because the 35-year-old Dimple had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Congress' Raj Babbar in the by-election for the Firozabad parliamentary seat in 2009.
It is learnt that party general secretary Rahul Gandhi who is looking after UP affairs, consented not to field a candidate in Kannauj after a high-level review, It is also learnt that Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister Uttar Pradesh thanked Rahul Gandhi for the gesture. This is the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship of the two parties. Political observers feel that Congress-SP will sew up an alliance not only during the Presidential poll, it will go beyond Vice Presidential polls also. There is a possibility of SP even joining the UPA government in the political barter game though no formal discussion has begun in this regard.
There are reports that talks in this regard will be held soon and this may signal realignment of forces. Political analysts say that Ram Gopal Yadav is playing a crucial role in talks with the Congress party. There is also speculation that Ram Gopal Yadav may be an aspirant for the post of the Vice President. But sources in the Congress Party say that this proposal is not under discussion. “We are in talks. There is a new relationship of mutual understanding. At the moment, nothing beyond that,” said a senior party functionary considered close to 10 Janpath.
It is, however, not certain as to what will happen to Mulayam Singh Yadav’s bashers in the congress like Beni Prasad Verma and host of others.
