by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Special Report
Mahagathbandhan is Dead, Long Live Gathbandhan
Pawar tells Rahul: No Opposition conclaves, state-level rallies only
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Jan 14
It is now gradually becoming clear that there will be no “Grand Alliance” (Mahagathbandhan) of 22 Opposition parties at the national level. There will be no joint rallies or joint campaigning in states by top leaders of Opposition parties.
Highly placed sources say the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has suggested that it would be better to avoid holding joint rallies of Opposition leaders across the country. Rather, the parties should concentrate in states and constituencies wherever they are strong to work together and ensure the victory of their respective candidates. The joint rallies should be held only at the state level wherever needed and whenever required.
Sharad Pawar was at pains to explain to the Congress president Rahul Gandhi that the BJP would like to make this Lok Sabha polls as “Modi VS All” and paint a holier than thou image. The images of 22 leaders coming together at some recent conclaves to oust PM Modi should be avoided, at least for now.
The recent successes of low-key low-voltage campaigns in byelections and Assembly polls exposed the chinks in the BJP's armoury.
Rahul Gandhi had met Sharad Pawar at least four times and during one of the recent interactions, the veteran NCP leader felt that instead of “Grand alliance” the focus should be on “alliances in states” only.
Since Congress and NCP have already clinched an alliance in Maharashtra in-principle, its time to clinch alliances in other states too. The Congress Party has clinched an in-principle alliance in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir. Though there is no state-level alliance in UP with SP and BSP, these leaders feel that this was more a tactical move than keeping Congress in check. This move is aimed at keeping the entire Upper castes votes going over to the BJP in UP. There will be more localised adjustment of seats in UP wherever required, a source said.
The Congress has to sort out its problem in West Bengal where its in a dilemma whether to go it alone or with the CPM or Mamata Banerjee. It also has to overcome teething problems in states like Gujrat and in Karnataka where it has formed government with the Janata Dal (S). It is also facing problems in alliances/adjustment/understanding in Delhi, Punjab etc. with AAP.
It is in this context that Pawar suggested that no nation wide joint rallies or conclaves be held and such campaigns be confined to states only. Though Sharad Pawar was not immediately available for comments, senior NCP leader Praful Patel said its time to consolidate the gains and discussions on these lines have been held. He refused to say anything further on the issue.
Ends
