Regional leaders for Oppn unity, flexible Cong

New Delhi, May 20

The success of the Congress-JD(S) alliance in outpacing the BJP in the Karnataka elections bodes well for Opposition unity, with a chorus of regional voices hailing the Grand Old Party’s decision to play second fiddle to a smaller outfit in the southern state.

Congratulatory messages poured in from the regions soon after BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa — unable to garner the numbers required for a simple majority in the state Assembly — bowed out as CM, paving the way for a JD(S)-Congress government.

The Congress’ decision to allow Janata Dal (Secular) to take the lead in the state by installing its CM was applauded by many leaders, with NCP chief Sharad Pawar describing the role of the Congress as a “sensible” one.

But while Pawar congratulated Congress president Rahul Gandhi for ousting the BJP, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee — among the first to call the developments a victory of the regional front — did not mention Rahul Gandhi in her message.

The sub-text was clear: Some regional leaders would not allow the Congress to take the lead in forming a broad platform of the Opposition.

While an Opposition leader felt the Congress would need to play a more “gracious role” in a grand alliance before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to keep the BJP and RSS out, senior CPI leader D Raja said the question of who would lead the front should be kept open.

Raja stressed that the issue of who would be Prime Minister in 2019 should be discussed at a later stage. “The instant focus should be on defeating the BJP,” he said.

What is clear is that the Congress understands the need to keep regional parties happy. That explains why it agreed to be the junior partner in the Karnataka Government led by HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S).

In his statement after the fall of the BJP, Rahul Gandhi lauded JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda for the coalition’s victory.

“The Opposition will unite and coordinate to defeat the BJP,” Rahul said. But this may require more give and take than the Congress is used to.

That said, the Karnataka developments have sounded a clarion call for Opposition unity.

From the DMK’s MK Stalin and Loktantrik Janata Dal’s Sharad Yadav to TDP’s N Chandrababu Naidu, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and TRS’ K Chandrashekhar Rao, every regional leader urged non-BJP forces to align to defeat the BJP.

Now that the May 12 election over and done with, all eyes are now on how the Congress plays its role as the central pole of Opposition unity.

Opposition leaders said the Congress would have to show the same openness and flexibility going forward and ensure it gives space to other parties, even if it wanted to lead the front.

The equations are changing. How far the Congress goes in accommodating its allies may determine how far the BJP will go in 2019. — PTI

Kumaraswamy to meet Sonia, Rahul today

Ahead of his swearing-in as the Karnataka CM, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy will meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday to discuss the modalities of government formation. Clarifying that no discussion has taken place so far on the allocation of ministerial berths, Kumaraswamy termed reports on the power-sharing formula of 30 months each between the parties as “bogus”. “I’m visiting New Delhi on Monday...I will meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the party’s senior leader Sonia Gandhi,” he said. Based on the outcome of discussions with them, a decision would be taken on the number of Congress and JD(S) MLAs who will become ministers, Kumaraswamy added. PTI

Cong to PM: Probe horse-trading bid 

The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP for allegedly attempting horse-trading in Karnataka and demanded that PM Narendra Modi order a probe into efforts made by his party leaders to bribe and induce Congress and JD(S) legislators ahead of trust vote. PTI

BJP confident of staging comeback 

Events in Karnataka may have not gone according to plan, but the BJP believes it can make a comeback, thanks to the “inherent contradictions” in the Congress-JD(S) alliance in the state. The likely consolidation of a section of voters, especially Lingayats, behind the BJP would also help keep the party in pole position in the run-up to the 2019 General Election, its leaders said. “We may have lost the battle, but we will win the war,” said a party leader, referring to the next Lok Sabha polls. PTI