STATE SATRAPS TO TAKE SIDES

In the run up to  the coming general election, the developments have reached a stage when the regional parties appear under compulsion to take sides with any one of the two national political parties. The states like UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are the strong bases of local parties and the national parties have to procure their help to form the govt at the Centre. For over twenty years, the country has been ruled by coalitions.

There is a very strange trend when we see how they decide their sides. Often the regional parties do not take any side on any ideological consideration. The local mutual mistrust is the real guiding force. To start with, we take the case of Tamil Nadu. Both the leading local parties viz AIDMK and DMK cannot go together under one umbrella. If DMK decides to take side with the Congress, the rival AIDMK will automatically hold the BJP apron. Now we come to Bihar where it is certain that Lalu and Nitish cannot move together. The UPA Govt has played a clever game of befriending both. On Sept 30, the CBI court may give relief to Lalu as already Mulayam was let off the hook in disproportionate income case. On the other hand, by changing the yardstick,the Raghuram Rajan committee has declared Bihar the penultimate underdeveloped state of the country paving way for releasing big sums for Bihar to appease Nitish. After shaking off BJP, it is the biggest achievement of Nitish that Bihar has achieved the mantle of being at the bottom of development in the country. In this backdrop it will be interesting to see if both the rivals join the UPA.

The UPA ambivalence is perceptible in UP as well. It is the magic stick of the CBI that the SP and the BSP, sworn enemy have been voting together for the UPA bills in the House. Mulayam was left and Mayavwati is waiting for the similar benevolence. Despite this, it is not possible that both will jump on the UPA bandwagon. The ruling TMC in West Bengal has the experience of being in both the NDA and UPA governments. However, till today Mamta Di has not left any pucca inclination about her support either way. Similarly, in Odisha, the ex-NDA partner BJD has  kept the cards close to its chest without  showing any preference for its favourite at the Centre. The picture is becoming clear in Andhra. By arranging bail for Jagan Reddy after being in jail for over a year, the Congress has managed understanding on likely pre or post-poll alliance with him and strengthen its position in Telangana. It has forced the TDP, on the verge of triple defeat, to probe the possibility of returning to its ex- ally BJP. In J&K also, if Omar Abdullah continues to be with the Congress, Mehbuba Mufti is most likely to look at the NDA.

This trend of selfish and power hungry alliance is disturbing in democracy. It is expected that the voters compel the political parties to base their stand on ideologies.