The million dollar question now is how Rahul Gandhi will move forward. Will he take full command of the party or maintain status quo? His first eight years of active politics were quite good, but since 2012 all is not well. Politics of the Congress has gone off track. Since 2012, Rahul has come before the media at least four times to accept his defeat. In 2012, he had taken responsibility for the defeat in Uttar Pradesh. In 2013, he took responsibility for the rout in Assembly Elections. In 2014, the Congress lost Lok Sabha Elections, and now in Maharashtra and Haryana too. That is why Congress members are asking whether Rahul will take responsibility for the defeat or will he do something to ensure victory in the future.
Congress leaders demanded to bring in Priyanka Gandhi, but that request has been rejected. So, they want Rahul to take control of the party. But Rahul doesn’t want any parallel power in his command. It means he wants that all old veterans must sit at home.
It is said that he is not happy with the present working style of the Congress. Sources say Rahul has not played any role in the changes in the organisation. Apparently, Rahul wants clarity on this topic before the Congress conclave, which is scheduled next year.
COMPULSION OF PAWAR, PATEL
Praful Patel and Ajit Pawar may give clarifications but it is true that both are facing such grave problems that they are compelled to have sympathy towards Narendra Modi Government at the Centre and the new Government in Maharashtra. Both are facing corruption charges and might land in a soup. That is why they have announced their support to the BJP without any precondition. Now, they are saying that their support has nothing to do with the corruption charges.
During the last days in office, former CM of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, had sought investigation against Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare. The file is lying with the Cabinet Secretary. To proceed further, he needs the approval of the new Government. If the new Government gives a go-ahead, Pawar and Tatkare will face major problems and the irrigation scam will haunt them.
Likewise, Patel is facing allegations of irregularity in the heavy purchase of planes for Air India. Former CAG Vinod Rai had submitted an extensive report on this and investigation is underway. Patel has even acknowledged his mistake. But he might be in a fix if the CBI investigates.
Sharad Pawar Vs Congress
NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not leaving any chance to malign his old alliance partner, the Congress. Congress leaders are amazed with his allegations. Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel have said that the Congress had given a proposal to form the Government in Maharashtra with the help of three parties. NCP leaders are saying that Congress leaders wanted to give outside support if the Shiv Sena and NCP would form the Government. Though even the three parties were not able to touch the magical figure of 145.
However, the Congress is saying that Pawar’s allegation is baseless and he is acting at the behest of the BJP to malign the secular image of the party. The sources in Congress say they have never given any such proposal. But of course there was a line of thought in the party that the Shiv Sena and NCP could have formed the Government. To stop the BJP, the Congress wanted the same but never wanted to be a part of the Government.
One of the senior leaders of the Congress says Pawar was in touch with the BJP as well as Shiv Sena. His first choice was Sena and he could have gone with it in the name of development of Maharashtra. But when the Shiv Sena’s tally stopped at 63, he was compelled to support the BJP. To justify this step, he is involving the Congress in this.
Changed Politics Of Digvijaya
Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh plays a different type of politics. Before the Lok Sabha Elections, he was fiercely attacking Modi, but has now gone soft on him. Probably he wants to play a different game. He is returning to the politics of soft Hinduism, which he had advocated a decade ago. That is why he advised the Congress that it must condemn radical elements of other religions too. Now, he has gone one step forward.
He is the only leader in the Congress who has admitted to the Modi wave in Maharashtra and Haryana. He said that the BJP won in these States due to the Modi wave. Interestingly, the Shiv Sena — once an alliance partner of the BJP — is saying that the Modi wave was stopped before it reached the boundary.
Other Congress leaders like Prithviraj Chavan, BS Hooda, Tarun Gogoi and Abhishek Singhvi have rejected the so-called wave. But Digvijaya has given an altogether different statement. Before this, he had extended support to Shashi Tharoor when he had praised Modi. In fact, he is trying to change the anti-Hindu image of the Congress and thinks it will be possible only when there is less criticism of Modi.
BSP LOSING GROUND
Danger bells are ringing for the BSP. In the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party got a big jolt and then another shock after the Lok Sabha polls. There is no indication of improving the party’s condition. In Maharashtra and Haryana, BSP’s performance was worse. In Haryana, BSP the party is facing the same situation as in Delhi. BSP leaders are taking it as a real challenge. They feel that their Dalit vote base is shrinking and moving towards the BJP. If the situation persists, the party will be out of fight.
In Haryana, the BSP had taken a big step. It had fought elections after declaring that former MP Arvind Sharma would be the CM of Haryana. But Sharma could not win from both seats. The BSP has got only one seat. Tek Chand Sharma managed to win by 1,100 votes. In Haryana, the BSP has got only 4 per cent votes. Its national status is in danger. It hasn’t got even a single seat in Maharashtra. That is why the party leaders are thinking of any alliance. In Haryana, it could have gone with Bishnoi and Vinod Sharma, and in Maharashtra, the party could have fought after forging an alliance with the NCP, but it didn’t take any decision in time.
REGIONAL PARTIES worried
After the results of Maharashtra and Haryana elections, regional parties of Bihar and Jharkhand are worried. They know that now these two States are on Amit Shah’s radar. In the near future, Assembly Elections are scheduled in these States.
In Jharkhand, elections can be held next month, and in Bihar, elections would be held by the end of next month. The BJP leaders have kept a special eye on Bihar and have started preparations.
In both States, small parties are assessing their alternatives. In Jharkhand, Sudesh Mahto’s party AJSU is trying to go into an alliance with the BJP. Mahto is trying to connect with the BJP with the help of leaders of the State. Babulal Marandi also has a proposal to merge his party with the BJP. Although he is not ready, if the BJP agrees for an alliance, he will be happier. Likewise, in Bihar, LJP and Lok Samta Party are not able to fathom whether the BJP will continue the alliance or fight alone. So, they are making their own plans.