The alliance talks between the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fell apart as the grand old party was unwilling to cede to their demands for more seats in the crucial poll-bound States like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
The same attitude of the Congress made one of its major UPA constituent, Sharad Pawar's NCP, announce its decision to go solo in Rajasthan. Pawar has, however, clarified that NCP will contest only on the seats where the party has strong base and that it would not damage the prospect of Congress.
Congress decided to risk going alone as its internal assessment showed the party will wrest power in these States without even an ally. A senior leader explained that had the Congress ceded to the BSP and SP demand for seats in these three States it would have been forced to part with at least 20 per cent seats.
"Both SP and BSP have limited presence in these three States and could impact the outcome of only a handful of seats. They won't be able to win on the remaining seats they are demanding. This will only help the BJP," he said.
Congress also realises that both SP and BSP have their own compulsion to stitch together a grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh where Congress could be significant force if the year-end Assembly polls go in its favour. "SP and BSP know that BJP must be defeated at all cost to prevent their own extinction. The reality will dawn on every body," he said.
After BSP, SP too on Saturday ruled out an alliance with the Congress for the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. The SP announced that it will fight elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in alliance wuh to Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP). SP chief Akhiesh Yadav also said that his party was ready to join hands wuith the BSP in Madhya Pradesh polls, keeping alive the prospects of a grand alliance in UP.
"State units are better aware of the ground situation than the central leadership. They took a decision and the central leadership accepted it. It should not be confused with attempts to forge a 'mahagathbandhan' that is meant for the Lok Sabha polls," said Congress spokesman Pawan Khera when asked about the alliance failure.
Polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will be held between November 12 and December 7 in what may be a virtual semi-final to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes will be taken up together in all the five States on December 11.
The party however is expected to face a tough challenge in Mizoram from the Mizo National Front in the upcoming Assembly polls. After being in power for two consecutive terms, internal squabbles and anti-incumbency factor are making the situation difficult for the Congress to head on where BJP has already put a strong foot hold in the north eastern States. Mizoram goes to poll on November 28.