The UPA-II is nearing the completion of its term and its old allies are gradually deserting the conglomeration and rocking the boat. The guessing game doing the rounds in political circles in Uttar Pradesh is whether there is going to be a mid-term pollIJ While Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav remained the focal point on the political scene since he held the key to UPA-II, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reiterated his party’s support to the Centre.
This is certainly not the first time that UPA II is in the midst of a political crisis. Most will remember how the SP had come to the Government’s rescue when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee withdrew support to the Central Government.
Similar situations have stared the Congress in the face. And it arose once again, and the Congress was pushed to the wall, desperately trying to prove that all was well despite the desertion of its DMK ally. Mulayam and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati came to the Congress’ help. Obviously then, both the parties demanded their pound of flesh for continuance of support to the UPA-II.
Though Behenji didn’t take time in extending support, Mulayam settled scores with and old friend-turned-foe Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma for his outburst against him on the floor of the lok Sabha.
What actually surprised many political parties was the fact that it was not the first time that Beni Prasad had put his foot in the mouth and embarrassed the Congress. His statements have consistently been overlooked by the High Command. So when the Minister levelled allegations against his former mentor Mulayam, no one imagined what was to follow. Mulayam lost no time in demanding Beni’s head for his “baseless allegations of a very serious nature”.
The Congress swung into action to ensure that Mulayam be pacified keeping in view the sensitivity of the situation. But what surprised Congress rivals was the reason behind the party’s dilly dallying on taking action against the errant Minister, especially when his statement was on the verge of endangering the Government.
Perhaps votebank politics was the only criterion for keeping the Minister. The Congress had its eye on the Verma’s Kurmi votebank which had always got him re-elected to the lok Sabha.
Flower Power
At a recent meeting in Amethi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi spoke about his dream for the parliamentary constituency. Instead of consolidating his votebank in the Hindi heartland, the Congress yuvraj lured his voters with the ambitious project of developing his homeborough on the lines of the US and the UK.
He discussed the possibilities of promoting floriculture and exporting the flowers. Of course, flowers have had a special place for the Nehru-Gandhi family. Nehru’s love for roses is known by all. He always used to put one on his achkan. And now, Rahul wants to transform his traditional seat on the lines of the US and the UK!
“This is a far-fetched dream. After all, the young leader first needs to provide basic amenities like clean drinking water, healthcare, electricity and proper roads to voters”, a Congress opponent said.
But Rahul can’t be blamed for his dream. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has been wooing foreign investors too. Rahul had invited Bill Gates to UP and had accompanied him to Amethi in an effort to develop the place. “The best way to lure the voters is to show them the path of development through foreign lands. After all, there is no harm in day dreaming,” a Congress rival said, smirking.
On the backfoot
The foot-in-mouth disease is keeping many political parties on tenterhooks. We all know that Minister for Steel Beni Prasad Prasad Verma suffers from it. But he is not the only one who has left the Congress red-faced. Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and senior leader Digvijay Singh have, from time to time, been the eye of the storm for their remarks which left their party on the defensive.
But the Congress is certainly not alone for having leaders who have this disease.
The ruling Samajwadi Party has some senior Ministers, including Mohd Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav, who have surprised the public with their statements —only to backtrack later.