by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive report
NCP may join Congress-led Front Sharad Pawar to be its Convener
Nitish, Yechury, Gowda, Mamata agree
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, April 21
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is seriously considering a proposal to join a front of like-minded Opposition parties. The NCP which quit the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) three years ago, is being wooed by the Congress, CPM and the Janata Dal leadership to play a pivotal role in this hour of crisis and strengthen Opposition parties.
According to indications available here one of the suggestions doing the rounds is that instead of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a new joint front be formed of like-minded secular parties. This front should be formed early so that enough time is available to put up a credible challenge to the BJP before 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
It is also suggested that Sharad Pawar be made Convener of this Joint front. Of course, Sonia Gandhi will be named chairperson of this new outfit and Nitish Kumar will also hold a key position in this proposed outfit.
If reports are to be believed, Sonia Gandhi is keen that Sharad Pawar play pivotal role in bringing all Opposition parties together as he has the capability to do so. Though some senior Congress Party leaders were trying to put a spanner in the move. But Sonia Gandhi snubbed them saying that the country was facing a grave crisis and unity of the Opposition parties is needed.
When asked Praful Patel told Lokmat, “ We are talking and various proposals are over the table. I have nothing more to say on the issue as of now. Let’s see”
Sitaram Yechury was also guarded in his comments and said, “ we are working to bring all like-minded forces together.”
However, the NCP leaders told categorically that Opposition unity should not be one-shot affair (for President’s polls). But it has to be with a long term perspective and unity should be with open mind and heart. Obviously, the NCP leadership is hurt that the Gandhis never trusted Pawar.
However, times have changed and it was Congress vice President Rahul Gandhi who had taken the first initiative in March itself when he drove down to the residence of Sharad Pawar signaling that a “thaw” is possible after the two parties parted company three years ago. Later, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury held a meeting with Pawar and Praful Patel.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who met Sonia Gandhi yesterday, emphasized the creation of a new front. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, CPI leader D Raja and others have met Sonia Gandhi recently. Mamata Banerjee flew down to Bhuvneshwar to meet the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to explore possibility to have a working relationship to strengthen the Opposition because Congress is the principal Opposition party in the state. Janata Dal (U) general secretary K C Tyagi is going to Bengaluru to meet Janata Dal (S) leader H D Deve Gowda on Saturday.
