Oppn front leadership: Still an evolving issue

The dynamics of the relationship between the Opposition parties is likely to be an evolving one as we come closer to the process for the next Lok Sabha elections. The question of the leadership of a potential front of Opposition parties to confront the BJP-led NDA — a perennial question raised in the media, in part to spice things up — will no doubt be crucial at the end. But this will only be so if the NDA is bested. If not, the issue is irrelevant.

Seen in this light, what Congress insiders have been widely quoted as saying on Tuesday is important, and brings a semblance of balance to the shape the discussion had begun to take. The Congress credits party president Rahul Gandhi with the view that the real goal before the Opposition parties is to combine in the most efficient way feasible to defeat the BJP-NDA at the hustings, and all other discussions can wait.

In addition, the Congress has also noted it isn’t averse to either West Bengal CM and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee,  BSP chief Mayawati or any other senior Opposition leader becoming the next PM if the Modi government is defeated.

It was necessary for the Congress to clear the air on this as it might have come in the way of seat-sharing discussions in various states, especially in the context of Ms Mayawati declaration on Tuesday that she would combine with the Congress only if she gets a “respectable” number of seats from that party. The clear hint was about Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

How such discussions go will be keenly watched, but it can be no one’s case that ensuring a viable Opposition challenge to the NDA is a subject that only the Congress leadership must worry about, and that the BSP and other parties will go into the next election regardless of the larger picture.

Many parties of the so-called “secular” Opposition may also feel their interest is best served if the Congress doesn’t contest too many seats, for they may want the Congress to come back with as few seats as possible so that their hand is strengthened on the leadership issue after the election. It is undeniable that if the Congress and BJP each wins seats in the 150-200 zone, they will become natural claimants to head any potential front to lead the next government. It is then that the parties railing at the BJP now will be put to the test. Which side will they be on? If they switch their allegiance to the BJP at that stage, it is doubtful they would be in any position to advance their own leadership claims, which they often do in relation to the Congress. The Congress leadership, like its potential allies, will doubtless keep all these factors in view too.