Sonia checkmates Advani via Mulayam
Sonia Gandhi may have been ranked by “Forbes” world’s
6th most powerful woman. The poor pehlwan Mulayam Singh Yadav may
not figure anywhere in power circuit either. But he made Sonia Gandhi to walk
up to him twice this week in full public view raising political eyebrows.
If she created a flutter in the Lok Sabha by
walking up to Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday pleading for electricity in Amethi
and Rae Barelli, she walked up to him again on Thursday to thank him for his
gesture. Now the constituents of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi will thank both –
Mulayam and Congress for 24X7 electricity when rest of the state is reeling
under power cut for at least 8 hours a day. Mulayam, in fact, restored power in
these two districts on Tuesday itself.
Political observers are shocked at Sonia
Gandhi’s new found public affection for Mulayam. Was it that simple an act or
deep politics ?
My assessment is that by pleading with him and
that too in full public view for electricity, Sonia is sending a public message
to all political parties that SP and Congress can do business together despite
differences in future.
It is a clear signal that Sonia Gandhi may
either seek the support of the Third front or give it – whatever be the
scenario in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
And the see the promptness with which Mulayam
joined hands with the Left parties and roped in TDP which was doing business
with BJP on anti-corruption front until Monday ?
Sonia walked up to Mulayam on Tuesday and the
third front emerged on Wednesday night and Thursday morning they all were
together on Dharna and in the Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi thanked Mulayam Singh
again for whatever he has done for her constituencies.
It also means that Congress will be a
unofficial B team of SP in UP and focus in other states during 2014 Lok Sabha
polls. It may mean that Rahul gandhi’s politics of reviving Congress on its own
in UP has been put on the back burner. It also means a great set back to Digvijay
Singh and one will have to watch political developments. Ahmad Patel must be
smiling silently.
Some party leaders who do nothing on the ground
and reaping the power here, must be upset with this open display of affection
as it would “demoralize” workers.
“This is not her political clout. It is
surrendering to the SP,” said a senior functionary.
Watch this space for what BJP veteran L K
Advani is doing and cooking whose goose ?
