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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Axar shifts focus to next IPL after KKR all but end DC's campaign
New Delhi (PTI): A beleaguered Axar Patel admitted that both his team's batters and bowlers let the side down after Delhi Capitals suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, virtually ending their IPL 2026 playoff hopes, while indicating the team had already begun looking ahead to the next season.
DC endured a miserable outing at home, managing only 142/8, which Kolkata Knight Riders chased down in just 14.2 overs, powered by a blistering unbeaten 100 from Finn Allen and his destructive stand with Cameron Green (33 not out) as the visitors tore apart the bowling attack.
With just eight points from 11 matches, DC are eighth on the table, while KKR revived their playoff hopes with a resurgent run, moving to seventh with nine points from 10 outings, though their road to the knockouts still remains difficult.
"For now, we'll go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there's still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we'll think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take," said Axar after the match.
"Based on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make," he added, hinting at a possible major overhaul next season.
With 200-plus totals becoming the norm this season, 142 was always going to be inadequate, and Axar admitted the score was well below par while also pointing out at poor judgement shown by the spinners while defending the modest total.
"I think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the way the pitch behaved, I feel the spinners did make errors.
"At the same time, we lost five wickets in two-three overs, and I think that's where the momentum slipped away from us. That's probably something we need to think about because the same thing happened against CSK...we started well, and then suddenly wickets kept falling," he added.
He admitted the solutions to the issues could be found but players need to show the right mindset and character.
"See, you can't solve it in a complicated way. So, I think it's more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease and play through it. I think that's what needs to be applied, when wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two," opined Axar.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was pleased to see a struggling Finn Allen finally rediscover his touch with the bat.
"I'm really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic. But I want to praise our bowlers again.
"We did well because of them. And they've been doing it so well consistently, especially those middle overs and the death overs. Our spinners, Sunil Narine, Varun (Chakravarthy) and Anukul Roy, have been fantastic," he said.
"Fielding-wise, yes, we are working really hard. Our fielding coach has been really strict with us. And that's what has been helping us. The result which you've been seeing about the catches and the ground fielding, credit goes to our fielding coach as well," he added.
