The silhouette of a grand alliance appeared on the horizon of Uttar Pradesh’s realpolitik as Congress strategist Prashant Kishor (PK) had a brainstorming session with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for two hours at the latter’s official residence on Monday.
After the meeting, senior Samajwadi Party insiders maintained that it was a conscious effort to drive home the need for a pact among like-minded parties.
However, as rumours of a grand alliance flow thick and fast, confusion reigns within the SP. While senior leaders advocate the need to have a pact, the young Turks want the party to go alone in the battle of ballots showcasing the Government’s achievements.
“Why should we have an allianceIJ look at our report card. Ours is a Government that has come up with results. We should go to the people showcasing our achievements,” young leaders thronging Janeshwar Mishra Trust said on Monday.
Meanwhile, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav dashed off to New Delhi on Monday evening, triggering speculation about further talks on the alliance. SP sources said that he could hold talks with senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi.
While members of ‘Team Akhilesh’ were having this conversation with The Pioneer, Akhilesh was holding a meeting with Prashant Kishor aka PK.
PK reached the Chief Minister’s residence at 2 pm and left at 4.07 pm without speaking to the media. Sources said that the one-on-one meeting saw PK explaining why the Congress and SP should contest polls as partners along with other like-minded parties.
Akhilesh had already thrown enough hints to suggest that something was cooking by telling a group of journalists that if the Congress and the SP wanted to forge an alliance, no one could stop them.
The parley assumes importance as earlier the CM had refused an audience to PK as he was told that Amar Singh was behind brokering the pact. last week, PK had a marathon meeting with SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav at Amar Singh’s Delhi residence.
On Friday, a day after the SP’s silver jubilee foundation day function, PK had another meeting with Mulayam in lucknow and a separate meeting with Shivpal Yadav too. Despite so much happening in the party, Akhilesh had refused to meet PK for the last two days.
A senior SP leader told The Pioneer that the CM has not categorically assured an alliance, but promised to speak to the party president over the issue and then revert.
Incidentally, Akhilesh has been against any electoral pact. Three months ago, when Shivpal inked a pact with Qaumi Ekta Dal, Akhilesh had revolted and said, “If we can strengthen our booths, we can win the election hands down. There is no need to have an alliance.”
Much water has flown down the Gomti since. On Monday the CM said that he has asked Netaji (Mulayam) to consider all options and the possible outcome of the alliance focussing on who will benefit from the tie-up.
However, as the news filtered out about PK’s visit, the Young Turks said, “Bhaiya should turn down any alliance.”
Incidentally, these are the leaders who are part of ‘Team Akhilesh’ and have been expelled from the party for showing Rs indecency’ by protesting outside party office.
“If leaders are advocating that the SP should go for an alliance, it means they are conceding that we are skating on thin ice. Ask anyone on the street, he will say that Akhilesh Yadav has performed. Even our political rivals admit it. When we are on a firm footing why should we go for an alliance,” an expelled MlC said.
On the other hand, party veterans said that all secular forces should unite to stop the march of ‘communal forces’.
“The merger of QED with the SP is a step forward in this direction. Senior leaders of Janata Dal (U), RlD, RJD and Janata Dal (S) have met Mulayam during the party’s silver jubilee function thus keeping the door open for a possible pact,” a senior leader said.
“The party will gain only if we stand united. The division of votes will help the BJP. We will have to replicate the Bihar formula in UP,” he said.