Can anti-BJP parties unite?
A very intense discussion is going on in the corridors of politics on whether defeating the communal BJP is possible during the most crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections. A close look may reveal defeating BJP is not even any easier. At the same time, it is not a herculean challenge too. BJP has not fulfilled many promises it had made to the public in the run up to the elections. People have suffered through GST and demonetization processes. But at the outset, Modi’s charm has not waned with time or challenges. People still place their trust on him.
But some awakening seems to have happened among the opposition parties, with less than a year to go for the Lok Sabha polls. The anti-BJP parties now know if they do not unite, they can never stop the BJP juggernaut. However, the saving grace is also the fact that the bypolls in UP show anti-BJP parties can come together to defeat BJP. SP and BSP came together in the Uttar Pradesh to fight the bypolls and won against BJP candidates.
And when the new CM representing the JD(S) and Congress coalition took oath, anti-BJP parties came together in Bengaluru starting from Trinamool Congress to Marxist Communist party to send out a strong message. They put up a united front. Along with regional parties, even Congress took part in this display of solidarity.
Though BJP President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi come refer to ‘Congress-mukt’ Bharat, their main aim is to achieve a democracy-mukt Bharat and opposition parties-mukt Bharat. They want a free run, and do not like anybody questioning them. Hence, Congress is not their sole aim but they want to wipe off regional parties from the map of India as well. They snatched power from the hands of CPM in Tripura, the illegal means by which they formed a government in Goa, their attempts to kill Dravida parties in Tamil Nadu, and their unrelenting efforts to finish off regional parties in other parts of the nation show their eagerness to achieve their goal. Amit Shah and Modi are supported by RSS. Sangh Parivar believes both of them can deliver the dream nation Parivar wants to build. Corporates too love the duo because they protect the interest of private sector. They would love to see Modi continue in the same position.
Hence, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are very crucial. The opposition parties need to lock this sturdy unchallenged horse in the stable. Congress alone cannot do this, and even the party knows it well. That’s the reason Congress reached out to offer support to JD(S) to form government when the party didn’t get a majority in the Karnataka elections. The talks between Cong high-command and JD(S) Supremo Devegowda bore fruits. When the new government came into existence, the leaders ensured it sent a larger message to BJP than just a swearing in ceremony of anti-BJP government. The split in opposition parties is the main reason for BJP’s victory in many places. In UP, BSP and SP contesting separately, ensured a total of 73 seats for them. Had they contested together, the parties probably wouldn’t have been able to achieve this is something they know from the bypolls conducted for 2 seats in that state. BJP and Shiv Sena together had entered coalition in Maharashtra and won 48 Lok Sabha seats with BJP winning 23 and Shiv Sena clinching 18 seats.
Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP had contested separately for this elections. But if the anti-BJP parties come together, the challenge for BJP will only get bigger and a lot more complicated. Last time Telugu Desam had joined hands with BJP in Andhra and now both have split ways. There are chances of left parties entering into an agreement with Andhra in the upcoming elections, making BJP’s prize run a bit tougher. Yet, the solidarity of anti-BJP parties is laden with challenges too. They are not together in total understanding and solidarity. Communist and Congress parties are major opponents of BJP in Kerala. Trinamool Congress and CPM pose solid challenge to BJP in West Bengal. Congress has adopted soft approach towards regional parties in Karnataka, and this has to continue till the parties face 2019 elections. All these provisions have to be made for 2019 Lok Sabha elections to put up a strong front against BJP. They need to come together under common programme to defeat BJP in 2019 elections.
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Hemant Karkare killed by RSS-linked cop, not Kasab: Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar
BJP writes to ECI for action against Cong leader Wadettiwar for 'defaming' Ujjwal Nikam
Mumbai, May 5: The BJP has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Congress and the opposition leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, for allegedly peddling lies and defaming its Mumbai North Central nominee and ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.
Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to RSS.
His allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.
"As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said.
Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar claimed they were aimed at defaming Ujjwal Nikam and inciting emotions.
"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added.
Shelar further said (Ajmal) Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following a due process of law.
Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai Police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured.
Shelar wondered whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the statement made by the Congress leader.
A former special public prosecutor, Nikam had represented the state in high-profile cases like the Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
He is making his political foray from Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket and is pitted against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.
