Page 33 - 28FEB2019E

politics

With Mayawati joining
hands with Samajwadi
Party, the next election may
not be Rahul Gandhi versus
Modi but Mamata, Mayawati
vs Modi with Priyanka
Gandhi queering a pitch

• Women power Priyanka (left), Mamata (centre) and Mayawati are likely to appeal to different sections of the electorate
ers to make a bid for the PM’s post? For it to come to power at the head of an solidating their grip on voters as they
Priyanka Gandhi, there are roadblocks anti-BJP coalition being the largest have a lot more experience than Priyan-
aplenty and on top of all comes the lack party amongst opposition parties. ka, and both could be seen as potential
of organizational apparatuses. For sure, Yashwant Sinha, the former finance prime ministerial candidates in a coali-
Priyanka’s formal entry into politics minister who quit Bharatiya Janata Party tion government.
could help rejuvenate the party in Uttar last year opines that “the opposition has Mayawati, is a 63-year-old former
Pradesh, where it is a marginal player. more powerful women leaders than the teacher who enjoys base among Hin-
Coming from what is India’s first family, NDA, and therefore they will be able to duism’s lowest castes and the Dalits.
she could appeal to upper caste voters in carry conviction with voters generally, The 64-year-old Mamata Banerjee of
the state who typically vote for the pro- and with women voters, in particular.” Trinamool Congress is a firebrand leader
business BJP. The BJP should be worried, especially and her dreams of capturing the top slot
A Congress leader close to the Gan- after the defeat in the three major Hindi are known to everyone. BSP spokesman
dhis said she would attract women, heartland states. The entry of Priyanka Sudhindra Bhadoria said Mayawati has
young people, and floating voters. Pri- into the political fray has drawn a gush- managed a party from scratch to this
yanka is far from a political neophyte, ing reaction from much of the media. level.
having supported her brother and There were pictures of elated support- The important fact is that she has or-
mother during previous election cam- ers dancing, a lot of talk of the 47-year- ganised large numbers, both men and
paigns. She has also experienced politi- old’s resemblance to her grandmother, women, Dalits, other backward castes,
cal and personal tragedy. The Congress’ former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the poor, minorities. She is a national
victory in three state elections that is and comments about her connect with leader. The strength of Priyanka, Maya-
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhat- voters. That contrasts with her brother, wati, and Banerjee as a potential oppo-
tisgarh has greatly improved morale, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who in sition alliance is that they can appeal to
leading some of its stalwarts to predict the past has been criticised for lacking different parts of the electorate.
anything from 120 to 150 seats in the the common touch.
Lok Sabha election. That would enable Mayawati and Mamata are seen con- letters@tehelka.com

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