The Great Indian general election is underway. India’s 714 million strong electorate is voting this month to elect the next government. By the looks of it no party seems to be in the position to get a clear majority, so it is very likely that we are going to see another coalition government.
Here’s the possibilities:
1. Congress led UPA coalition
2. BJP led NDA coalition
3. The Third front
Now the sad part beauty of Indian politics is that we don’t even know for sure who is a part of which coalition.
Given the power hungry, opportunistic regional parties slugging it out for that elusive shot at being part of the government, we will see a lot of switched alliances, many convenient marriages, and a potful of the usual political opportunistic crap that keeps the blood pumping in Indian veins. It is fascinating to see sworn foes kiss and make up, and we will see a lot of that for sure.
Here’s a little attempt to track down who’s bitching grumbling against whom, and then eating their words with the shameless grace that only politicians are capable of.
Laloo Prasad Yadav’s JDU
Sonia Gandhi went on a rampage against Laloo Prasad Yadav after he parted ways with the UPA coalition.
“The less said the better about those dark days,” she said, blissfully skirting the fact that her party was part of the RJD government’s third term in the state.” [link]
Laloo Prasad has been attacking the Congress, in a bid to get more of the Muslim vote in Bihar. Congress seems to have severed all ties with him, and are now trying to woo Nitish Kumar to join their camp.
Janata Dal (U) leader Prabhunath Singh was to express his affection for Sonia Gandhi. The candidate from Maharajganj in Bihar says he does not like the face, voice and language of Sonia Gandhi. [link]
Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee allegedly claimed that Laloo’s chances of getting a cabinet berth were slim since he wasn’t a part of any coalition. He was soon to clear it up and said that it was his poor Hindi that led to a confusion. Apparently the Congress still wants Laloo in their camp. [link]
The ‘Left’ Parties
CPM ruled out supporting a Congress led government at the center.
“There is no question of our supporting a Congress-led government at the Centre,” CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said when asked to comment about indications that the Prime Minister was holding out an olive branch for them. [link]
West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharya on the other hand, did not eliminate the possibility of supporting the Congress, ostensibly to keep BJP away from power. The left sings multiple tunes.
Meanwhile, the Congress is willing to patch up with the left parties. The same left parties that pulled the rug from under the government’s feet over their opposition to the much needed nuclear deal with the US.
CPM chief Prakash Karat still insists that under no circumstances will the left form an alliance with the Congress. He was equally clear about the possibility of supporting a non Congress led coalition of secular parties. The left sings on.
Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee also ruled out the possibility of the Congress extending support to a third front government. [link]
Jayalalitha
Jayalalitha has declared that all she cares about is power. She indicated that she would be open to negotiations with whoever emerges as the front runner after the elections.
Thaali ka baingan, did you say?
Congress
Who is going to be the Congress PM nominee? The official stance is Manmohan Singh, though there’s lot of speculation that Rahul Gandhi might sneak in eventually.
The Prime Minister clarified saying that he is the one and only Congress nominee.
To a question whether he or Rahul Gandhi will be the prime minister if UPA came back to power, Singh said, “Well, you have heard the Congress President. You have heard Mr Rahul Gandhi. I think the answer is quite clear”. [link]
We will see about that.
BJP
BJP President Rajnath Singh categorically denied the possibility of any alliance with the BSP or SP, terming them as untouchables for his party. This is going to be very interesting, and we would be keenly following the relationship between the BJP and BSP in the post election melee for alliances.
Naveen Patnaik’s BJD
Naveen Patnaik recently broke his alliance with the BJP in Orissa. He has stated that there is no way his party is going to support either the BJP or Congress. Hmm.
Mayawati
The BSP supremo urges people to vote out BJP and Congress. “Vote out the Congress and the BJP for the betterment of your lives” [link]
We can’t wait to see which coalition she eventually becomes a part of. Obviously her party isn’t big enough to form a government on its own. It is divided verdicts such as what we are expecting that give regional leaders such as Mayawati and Jayalalitha so much power in determining who forms the government.
Despite all the official stands, it will not be surprising if we end up with, say, a Third front government with Mayawati as Prime Minister, Prakash Karat as the Home Minister, supported by the Congress from outside. Words don’t mean much in this business.
Eventually it is going to be a free for all once the results of the election are out. The various coalitions are just temporary – there are no values keeping them together. It’s all about opportunism.
Hold on, i’ll go sob in a corner and be right back.
Related posts:
Yes, unfortunate thing is you vote for a candidate thinking he is different than the one you are voting against. After results, to your dismay, you find both of them are allies together in coalition! Cheats.
Mayawati is only leader who has coined a successful formula comprising of Brahmins and Dalits. Yet she remains head of a Dalit party. Her only unfulfilled ambition is to be PM. Hope the Indian public keeps the Third Front out, they are all a bunch of greedy opportunists.
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it is very much difficult to decide who are the greedy oppurtunists.because every political party in todays political scenerio are political self-seekers . all they want is power. so stigmatising a particular group as such is not quite fair. and as per acusation of cheating, it runs deep in indian blood!!! otherwise the country would have done away with the scocio-polical shortcomings.
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Hmm…no one from BJP/NDA who should eat their words?
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[...] amreekandesi added an interesting post on Eat Thy Words | amreekandesi.comHere’s a small excerptEat Thy Words. April 23, 2009 By: amreekandesi Categories: Politics. The Great Indian general election is underway. India’s 714 million strong electorate is voting this month to elect the next government. By the looks of it no party … [...]
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I think I’ll go sob in a corner too……
Quirky Indian
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Poonam – Exactly. You don’t know how your vote is going to be used, because the equations keep changing!
@Mahendra – I believe all parties are equally opportunist, including BJP and allies, but frankly i couldn’t find examples of such drama going on within the NDA coalition.
Besides, the action is really among the non BJP ‘secular’ parties because eventually they are all going to decide who forms the government. Take for example the BSP which could swing any way when the time comes, for whatever Mayawati may say at this time.
@QI – Join the club
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[...] amreekandesi placed an observative post today on Eat Thy Words | amreekandesi.comHere’s a quick excerptEat Thy Words. April 23, 2009 By: amreekandesi Categories: Politics. The Great Indian general election is underway. India’s 714 million strong electorate is voting this month to elect the next government. By the looks of it no party … [...]
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Very well researched article! BTW Amreekandesi you ever thought abt taking up speech writing?
I wish who ever forms the government is made to answer for every word said. This will keep them from saying just anything in public. I wonder who writes the speeches for these politicians. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/158125/how_to_become_a_political_speech_writer.html
Now imagine if a X politician has to advertise for one:
Wanted speechwriter for X. Aggressive, Belligerant, Unbaised & flexible(can write against all parties). Needs to work extra hours during campaigning, should be able to write different version for different states, castes and tribes. Not much stress on the content but the matter should be inflammable(bhadakao). Compensation : commission basis(on Media coverage, public attendence and negative if shoe thrown…..).
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Just mind-boggling!
I find myself actually admiring (??) Jayalalitha’s candour! At least, she is honest!!
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So much so that cynicism rules ! One only is aware the less cynical one is, the better for the country !
But how can that happen ! It is such a pitiable perverse situations…
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I liked the sobbing part the most.
Afcourse the piece is great. I dont believe in commenting on the obvious!
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@AmListening – Thanks. I too wish that the politicians are held accountable for what they say, instead of simply saying something and then reneging on their statements saying that they were quoted out of context.
Nice list of the qualifications for their speech writers. I don’t think i could ever fit that criteria
@Roshni – haha…yes at least she is being candid!
@Kavi – This cynicism is unavoidable, and there is only one way to get rid of it. Some more accountability from our democratic system.
@Mesingh – Thanks for the appreciation!
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@Mahendra – You asked about BJP missing from this list. Not anymore.
Just came across this report about the BJP’s feelings towards the BSP, and have updated the post. This one is definitely worth watching out!
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After reading this…err…I am thinking that why do we even take the pain to go and vote?
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Re: the sad part/beauty… I don’t think many of the politicians know which side they will eventually be on. The actual decision making will begin once the results begin to be announced.
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@Amit – I suppose that’s what most voters are thinking, going by the voter turnout so far.
@Shantanu – That’s the whole problem. In this scenario, we voters dont even know what way our vote is going to be counted. It’s as if the entire election is a farce.
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@Amit: Have you ever read a candidate’s manifesto?
We educated young lot never take the pains to find THE righteous candidate.
Result -> manifestos(what you say pre-election) don’t matter and thus elected candidates can get away with anything. Not voting is not the right attitude. The right candidates are also looking for your vote.
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