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he poll scenario of 2019 has Political developments of past few to reduce its over-dependence on these
taken a new turn. The BJP months speak a different story. It is parties in Lok Sabha polls.
was expecting a fractured amply clear that it is Congress which People may argue that these par-
opposition without any wanted an anti-BJP poll alliance with- ties were of no consequence in these
T proper coordination. How- out being an actual partner of it. It only states. However, facts do not support
ever, this did not come true. The Op- wanted to sustain a strong anti-Modi it. The BSP had considerable presence
position is more united than ever, but narrative without being a part of a in three Hindi-speaking states of Ra-
the shape of this unity is different. The functional non-BJP formation. In fact, jasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhat-
Congress which was trying to become the party had different strategy. It want- tisgarh. In Chhattisgarh, the BSP with
the leader of a united Opposition failed ed create an independent appeal. Rahul Ajit Jogi’s party was even a formidable
to acquire the leadership. It is certainly Gandhi tested this strategy in recently third force. The social alliance that had
giving comfort to BJP. But this has hard- held assembly elections of five states. If emerged after two parties joined hands
ly lessened the intensity of opposition we go into the complaints of Samajwadi was really strong. Congress president
to the saffron party. Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party that Rahul Gandhi, in fact, gambled by ig-
Most of the non-BJP and non-Con- the Congress ignored them and made noring it. However, came out successful.
gress parties have joined hands and the no effort of poll alliance in assembly Congress strategy in states in as-
alliance has many former BJP allies in it polls, we can get some insight about the sembly polls was to place the party as
as well. The poll equations that have de- pattern. a party which could gain support of all
veloped across states is also no so com- Some media reports even reported the sections of the society. In fact, the

The twists in the tale

of Lok Sabha polls

Even as the Congress has failed to acquire the leadership of the bloc, the current political
developments suggest that BJP may face strong opposition in most of the states, writes anil sinha

fortable for the BJP. In most of the states, that personal communication between party was eyeing votes of the upper
BJP will be facing a strong Opposition. Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi was no castes which were angry with the BJP
The scenario of triangular contests in more in existence when these states over the issue of anti-atrocity laws. Go-
many states also does not seem to be fa- were undergoing elections. They high- ing with the BSP might have alienated
voring the ruling party led by Narendra lighted that the communication were these votes. The strategy worked well
Modi and Amit Shah. actually snapped just before the as- and the Congress could make a dent
A superficial observation will make sembly polls and Akhilesh felt hurt by into the upper caste base of the BJP.
one believe that exclusion of Congress this sudden change of gesture by Rahul Rahul has built up his strategy for
from the conglomeration of opposition Gandhi who he considered as a close 2019 poll on the experiences his party
parties is a failure of the party to mobi- friend. Similar complaints were made has gained in assembly polls. The core
lize anti-BJP political forces BJP under by BSP as well. The party said that the of his strategy is to create an independ-
one umbrella. A close look will, how- Congress did not seriously discuss the ent Opposition narrative with the Con-
ever, reveal otherwise. Was it really a alliance. These allegations show that gress in the center. He is claiming his
weak initiative on the part of Congress the Congress was determined to go party is fighting a battle of ideology
that sent the party out of a poll alliance? alone in the assembly polls. Congress against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Are the opposition parties really keen probably wanted to beat the narrative This alternative narrative of Modi’s op-
in keeping the grand old party out of a that it had no choice but to embrace position has governance, economy and
non-BJP poll front? parties like SP or BSP. The party had also corruption as core issues. Most of the

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