By Rahil Nora Chopra
The political buzz around the formation of a regional front has been gaining ground, especially after the much anticipated meeting of the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with the Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, in which both of them discussed about exploring the possibility of bringing together the political parties opposed to both the Congress and the BJP while continuing to reach out to other outfits. Although Mamata Banerjee met with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and she called the meeting a courtesy call, the Odisha Chief Minister asserted there was no political discussion during the meeting. Patnaik is very much peeved with the BJP, and the BJD is expecting a bitter strong fight from the BJP in the coming assembly elections in 2024. However, if numbers allow for it, Patnaik could be available to support a non-BJP government after 2024 elections. Similarly, Banerjee plans to talk to the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, who choose to remain equidistant from the Congress and the BJP. Moreover, TMC, SP, AAP, BRS and some smaller parties are planning to have a meet in Delhi before April 6 to formulate and frame out the strategy for the future.
BJP, CONGRESS GEAR UP FOR MADHYA PRADESH ASSEMBLY POLLS
Both BJP and Congress at their respective ends have started preparations to come back to power in Madhya Pradesh. BJP eyes aiming for Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat and all its seven assembly segments in Madhya Pradesh. The party is emphasizing more on Chhindwara to prepare the ground to win the seats. In this context, Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be blowing the poll bugle from Chhindwara on March 25 and Shah will be visiting Aanchal Kund Dhaam, a major pilgrimage for tribals, and planning to meet seers there. The tribal-dominated Chhindwara district for over four decades has been the pocket borough of ex-MP CM Kamal Nath, presently the president of the state unit of the Congress. Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat was the only seat out of 29 constituencies in MP where the Congress had managed to eke out a win in the 2019 LS polls, with Nath’s son Nakul winning it by 37,000-plus votes. On the other hand, Congress is putting more focus on Bundelkhand, Malwa and Vindhya region. The Congress is eyeing women voters and former CM Kamal Nath announced that if his party again forms the government in Madhya Pradesh in the state assembly election scheduled later this year, a financial help of Rs. 18,000 per year would be given to women and it would be largest ‘women empowerment scheme of the world’. Congress has also announced a manifesto for women titled Priyadarshini, named after former PM Indira Gandhi, which has special provisions for women’s safety, socio-economic strengthening as well as various other initiatives.
RAHUL UPSET WITH CM BAGHEL, BUT NOT PRIYANKA
With the end of the Congress’ 85th plenary session, rumour mill is doing rounds in Chhattisgarh Congress that senior leader Rahul Gandhi is quite annoyed with Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Gandhi is reportedly not very happy with his high-handed style of functioning in the state government and also due to the ongoing power tussle between Bhupesh Baghel and state cabinet TS Singh Deo, which has been raging in Chhattisgarh for some years now. With the infighting still continuing, both Baghel and Deo camps are making their own ticket list and demanding greater share in the ticket distribution in the upcoming assembly elections of Chhattisgarh. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi’s support is completely with CM Bhupesh Baghel, and she has publicly appreciated the work of the Chhattisgarh government quite often.
ANDHRA PRADESH: TDP, JSP LOOKING TO COSY UP; BJP MAY JOIN IN
Ahead of Andhra Pradesh assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is getting to come to an understanding with the Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party (JSP) in the hope of being able to consolidate its position in the state. As of now, TDP and JSP still have not come to any informal agreement for an alliance. Kalyan has reportedly met former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu more than once to discuss terms for an alliance, but so far nothing has been finalized. The buzz is that BJP aspires to join hands with the TDP- JSP since it has fallen apart with Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
HECTIC TICKET-LOBBYING FOR KARNATAKA ASSEMBLY POLLS IN BJP, CONGRESS
With Karnataka all set for the Assembly polls, hectic lobbying within the Congress and BJP for the tickets has begun within the party. To assess the performance of the candidates, the BJP has deputed “in-charges” in all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka. These functionaries are empowered to submit their reports to the state election committee, following which the central election team will take a final decision. BJP will adhere to the one ticket per family formula. Sticking to the formula, former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s son, B.Y. Vijayendra, who is also the vice-president of the BJP state unit, could replace his father from Shikaripura Assembly. On the other hand, the leaders of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) interacted with the party’s top brass at New Delhi to discuss the party’s poll strategy and finalise the first list of candidates. The first list of Congress candidates for Karnataka assembly elections will be announced soon. (IPA Service)
