Rahul Gandhi’s interactions is a clear message to Congress' current and prospective allies that he is ready to face the challenge of Mr Modi.
File photo of Rahul Gandhi. - DC
New Delhi: The UPA will not be fighting the coming Lok Sabha elections on its manifesto as the Congress is working on its own manifesto and seeks votes on it. Rahul Gandhi’s interactions with various sections of the society in this regard, is a clear message to Congress’ current and prospective allies that he is ready to face the challenge of Narendra Modi and the regional players.
The UPA might be seeking a mandate on the performance of the Manmohan Singh government for a second time but this will not be seen at the national level as the Congress’ strategy is to stich up alliances at the state level. This could check the regional players from getting a national level profile.
Similarly, the BJP led NDA too is not keen on giving too much importance to its allies like Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena beyond Punjab and Maharashtra for the same reason.
As for the Congress is concerned, the NCP is its oldest ally in the UPA which was formed in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections against the BJP led front. It is expected to fight the coming electoral battle with the NCP, RLD, National Conference, and JMM in Maharasthra, UP Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand respectively. The RJD and the LJP which have been backing the Manmohan Singh government from outside since 2009, may rejoin the UPA.
In that scenario all these parties would have to come out with their own election manifestoes. The Congress expects the Teleangana Rashtra Samithi’s merger with it before the polls.
( Source : venkatesh kesari )
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