by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Twin challenges for Opposition
Search for new name as UPA Is Dead
Pre-poll alliance not easy
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Feb 20
Intense parleys are on among the leaders of the Opposition parties whether to form a pre-poll alliance and give a new nomenclature to such a front.
Most parties who met at the residence of NCP leader Sharad Pawar last week,were of the view that instead of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a new name be coined to show-case unity of the Opposition. A senior leader even suggested that the UPA be renamed as ‘People’s Progressive Alliance' (PPA). But there was no unanimity. Pawar reminded that he was the first to form the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) in Maharashtra 40 years ago.
The leaders were also receptive to TMC leader Mamata Banerjee's idea that a pre-poll alliance be formed. But a Congress leader sarcastically said that all Opposition parties should speak in one voice irrespective of the formation of a pre-poll alliance. The leaders were clearly of the view that in the absence of a pre-poll alliance, the President of India will have a leeway to use his discretion to invite leader of the single largest party in the Lok Sabha after the polls to form the government.
While the task for evolving a consensus among the parties was entrusted to NCP leader Sharad Pawar, the Congress was sounded out to prepare the Common Minimum Program (CMP) of all like-minded parties.
Mamata Banerjee has the difficult task to create unity of the Opposition parties in West bengal first where her party is biggest in the alliance. The Congress leadership felt that she was trying to rather weaken the backbone of the party in West Bengal by luring its MLAs and sitting Lok Sabha MP s to TMC. “She should herself stop poaching our MLAs and Mps”, said a senior leader.
There is a possibility that a crucial meeting of the Opposition parties may be held either on February 25-26 or after the Congress Working Committee. The CWC is meeting in Gujrat on February 28 where the draft manifesto of the Congress and CMP would be discussed. TMC has also asked rebel BJP leader and former Union minister Yashwant Sinha to draft CMP for a discussion.
The pre-poll alliance has serious problems as major parties such as SP, BSP, AAP etc won't be in it. Some regional parties would not join the front either. Even TMC is unwilling to accommodate Congress in West Bengal.
