To defeat Modi in 2024 will be an uphill task for the Opposition as they have yet to sort out several issues including their prime ministerial candidate
Contrary to expectations, one of the major hurdles of creating consensus on I.N.D.I.A. (India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance the new name of the joint opposition front besides having two successful rounds of discussions in Patna and Bengaluru,26 parties front will be confronted with some serious challenges of naming as face of stature to face Modi, narrowing down the differences on eat sharing, finalizing common minimum programme etc.
In this backdrop, Congress has taken the lead in giving evidence of its commitment to ensuring the logical end of the new front which is reflected by AICC president, Malika Arjun Kharge that his party is not interested in the PM’s post and it will bring those regional Straps in comfort zone who are opposed to Grand Old Party.
PM FACE OF I.N.D.I.A?
BJP’s biggest Unique Selling Point (USP) is the face of Modi and his capability to win the assembly and Lok Sabha for the saffron party which will be put to the test in 2024. It will be the difference in 2024 as Modi will focus the BJP campaign on his appeal to give him a chance to serve for 3rd term and BJP leaders are confident that it will make the difference especially when opposition parties may not have an effective face of high statute to lead them. Experts feel that if Mamata, Stalin, Udhav, Mehbooa, Omar Abdulla and left parties create pressure on Congress to forward the name for PM face then the choice may fall on Kharge who belongs to the Dalit community and it can be acceptable to all regional leaders.
Congress could play this trump card and its Pan India character may facilitate the new strategy Congress has proved Rahul Gandhi’s stance that it will be ready to make any sacrifice to oust Modi which was witnessed when the party took one backward step and announced its decision to oppose the Delhi ordinance bill in Rajya Sabha. As per indication, it was Rahul Gandhi who overruled the consent of the Kharge Delhi Congress party’s objections not to spare Kejriwal on the ordinance hence he has been tamed.
Third, Congress strategists had made a sitting arrangement in Bengaluru in a way that Mamata Banerjee was in between Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi which was aimed at giving an impression of ‘forget and forgive’ to achieve a bigger goal. Mamata had always enjoyed a close relationship with Sonia Gandhi but the new gesture may bring her closer to Rahul.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Political observers believe that the predominant factor of convergence of regional straps, several opposition parties and Congress having divergent ideologies and inflated egos pertains to scarce created by the Modi government through investigating agencies like ED, CBI, Income tax department, etc. Owing to this compulsion, west Bengal chief minister, Mamata was the first to exhibit flexibility in the Patna conclave when she ignored Delhi CM, Kejriwal’s tirade against Congress over its non-committal stand on the ordinance hence he had kept himself away from press briefing also which gave handle to BJP to express doubt about the chances of unit amongst these leaders to come together. But Congress announced its support to Kejriwal in Rajya Sabha to oppose the ordinance which paved the way for the participation of AAP in Bangalore. Mamata played a crucial role in pacifying Kejriwal and used her good offices with Sonia Gandhi also which was responsible for the change of scenario
SEAT SHARING WILL BE THE BIGGEST HURDLE:
With the announcement of the formation of an eleven-member coordination panel, a new Road Map will be discussed in the Mumbai meeting which assumes a lot of significance and relevance to take the entire exercise to the next level. Being a Pan India party, Congress will be the main player to make the dream of leaders of 26 parties a Reality because it may be required to make more
sacrifices after the Delhi imbroglio.
Second, regional straps are dominant in their states including Mamata in West Bengal, Kejriwal in Delhi and Punjab, M.K.Stalin in Tamil Nadu, even Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Kumar and Tejeshvi Yadav in Bihar, Pinaravi Vijyan in Kerala, etc. hence they will demand lion’s share of Lok Sabha seats.
Third, Congress has got capacity and potential to take on BJP one to one in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal which will make it logical to give maximum share to the party.
Analysts opine that Mamata’s aide and Rajya Sabha member of TMC from West Bengal had twitted a message written in green and white colour, “I.N.D.I.A Chak De India.Ebar Lodrani Hobey, Khela Hobey” which sums up the mood prevailing amongst the leaders of 26 opposition parties. One thing is clear “Virodhi Partiyon Ke Liye Dilli Abhi Door Hai Aur BJP Ki lye Bhi Dilli Ki Satta Ko Pakad Ke Rakhan Assan Nahin Hai”
(Writer is a political analyst and senior journalist. Views are personal)
