Time is ripe for the Opposition to decide on the name of its Vice-Presidential candidate. Name of the ruling NDA’s candidate will obviously be decided by PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. But it’s a different case with the Opposition. Its candidate will be decided by a panchayat of more than a dozen Opposition parties. Anyway, Opposition seems to have learnt its lesson from the controversy around the name of the Presidential candidate so this time all parties are cautious.
It is now being said that all parties are putting pressure on the Congress to agree on either a non-Congress candidate or an apolitical candidate for the VP’s post. Many leaders are forwarding the name of Sharad Yadav. According to sources, the Congress is ready to compromise on the issue to keep the Opposition together. Particularly, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi doesn’t want to create an impression that there is a crack in Opposition unity. So, there is a possibility that the Congress would not insist on candidature of a person of its choice.
JD(U) ON VP ElECTION
JD(U) has pledged support to NDA candidate Ramnath Kovind in the Presidential election. So, there is obviously a question if Nitish Kumar will stand with the Opposition for the election of the VP or would he support the NDA candidate in this election tooIJ JD(U) veterans have, so far, been silent on the issue. Probably, they are waiting for the response of the Congress which is trying for Opposition unity on the issue.
Sources in the JD(U) are of the opinion that the party wouldn’t support an NDA candidate in the VP election. Nitish Kumar supported the NDA Presidential candidate due to two reasons: One, Kovind was Governor of Bihar, and two, he had good personal relations with Nitish Kumar. That is why, the JD(U) officially clarified its position vis-à-vis support to the NDA candidate and said the party supported Ramnath Kovind not the BJP.
Whether the party would show the same approach in the VP election, a senior JD(U) leader said it would depend upon the choice of candidate. He said “if the BJP gives chance to an apolitical person or a leader with a good image from the alliance parties then JD(U) may think of extending support to him/her.”
On the other hand, a senior Congress leaders said, in the VP elections, Nitish would be kept in the front. The party will put pressure on him to propose a name of his choice. It is also possible that the Congress leaves it to the JD(U), CPM and NCP to take a decision. If this process is followed, the JD(U) would certainly support the Opposition candidate.
CROSS VOTING POSSIBIlITY
A record cross voting is expected in the presidential election this time round. It seems that there are leaders in all parties who can go against the official party line. It is also being said that BJP leaders are trying for a record victory for Ramnath Kovind. They are trying to ensure more than 75 per cent support for Kovind. For this, Opposition leaders are also being kept in the loop. One BJP leader said talks with the Opposition in many States have already been held and they have assured help, which would mean cross-voting for the NDA candidate. And if necessary, the MlAs who go for cross-voting might join the BJP. There is an apprehension that the BJP can do this in a big way in Odisha where people believe some Congress leaders might vote in favour of Kovind. The ruling BJD has already announced support to the NDA candidate because had it not done so, there would have been rebellion in the party.
Similarly, there is a crack in the ruling alliance in Bihar. Six or seven MlAs of the Congress and RJD might vote in favour of Kovind. But there is another possibility in Bihar; some JD(U) leaders might vote in favour of Meira Kumar. Congress can get a big jolt in the north-east too. In many States, Congress MlAs are ready to support Kovind. Moreover, the TMC is also facing a problem on this count. The six MlAs who have joined the TMC leaving the Congress will support the BJP candidate. It is almost certain that all six MlAs will later join the BJP. BJP leaders claim the party is in contact with independent MlAs and MPs along with smaller parties to ensure a big victory for Kovind.
CONGRESS VERSUS JD(U)
Nitish Kumar and his party leaders gave given long sermons on Opposition unity for two consecutive days recently. First, after the party’s executive meeting, four spokespersons addressed the media and gave answers to uncertainty over relationship with the Congress and speculations on the future. But their clarifications failed to cover up the unease in the relationship between the Congress the and JD(U) following Nitish Kumar’s decision to support Kovind’s candidature.
A section of political observers point out that Nitish is deliberately targeting the Congress. They say he wants that the Congress must recognise him as leader of the Opposition alliance. He is aware that only in two scenarios can he regain power in Bihar — either he is considered the leader of Opposition at the national level or he goes with the BJP again.
In either scenarios, pressure has to be created on the Congress. That is why it is being speculated said that there will be many ups and downs till the meeting of July 17. It is said that Meira Kumar will meet Nitish Kumar during her Bihar visit and appeal for his support. After that, the second phase of the controversy will start. When the JD(U) will refuse her support, the Congress will attack Nitish and the JD(U) would naturally launch a counter attack. Nitish wants to put the Congress in an awkward situation and if it happens, Congress will withdraw from the grand alliance. But, the Congress too is aware of Nitish’s game.
In fact, Nitish is in a hurry and wants to arrive at a decision soon. If he goes with the BJP, he needs some time to stabilise. That is why it is being said that July is a crucial month for Bihar politics.
PRIYANKA GANDHI’S PlAN
Priyanka Gandhi might take a plunge into active politics in the next general elections. Congress leaders are saying she will be politically active from next year itself so as to prepare herself well for the 2019 lok Sabha election. There is speculation that Sonia Gandhi will not contest the next lok Sabha election and Priyanka would be there from her mother’s seat. Congressmen say Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka have already made up their mind on the matter.
Priyanka has already become more active politically. Apart from the trusts affiliated to the party and the Gandhi family, she is also being seen in political functions as well. She recently participated in a National Herald function where she spoke to the media. She put forth her views on recent incidents of lynching and expressed disgust over such ghastly murders. Her statement is being viewed from many angles. Sources in the Congress say that after the defeat in the lok Sabha and UP Assembly elections, the party has decided to use Priyanka as its Brahmastra and it is of no use to keep the plan under wraps.