Opposition hunts for Surjeet 2.0
Managing individual ambitions will be the big challenge in 2019
As the political competition heats up for 2019, there is a growing sense in the Opposition that political space has opened up. The BJP remains the dominant party, but it does not look as invincible as it did a year ago. Bypoll successes in Rajasthan, UP and Bihar in particular have emboldened the Opposition. But this is coupled with realism. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s personal popularity remains high; the BJP’S organisation remains robust; and even with a dip in numbers, the party may well be the largest force in the next Parliament. And that is why if the Opposition is fragmented, it has little chance of success. The effort, therefore, in the past few months in the Opposition camp, has been two-fold: stitch up as broad a pre-poll alliance as possible; and ensure channels are open among non-bjp parties to forge a post-poll alliance, if necessary.
But it requires individuals with the relationships across party lines to reconcile interests and ambitions; it requires individuals with political stature. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the former CPI(M) general secretary, was one such leader. He played a crucial role in the formation of the United Front governments after 1996; he also ensured that the Left Front supported the Congress in 2004. In both cases, his ambition was straightforward : keeping out the BJP. Many in the Opposition today seek to play this role. Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has been engaged in consultations with DMK’S MK Stalin and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee sees herself as the anchor of the alliance which will take on the BJP. Sharad Pawar is working to convince the Congress to shed its arrogance towards regional parties and regional parties to recognise the Congress’ centrality. Mayawati is quietly building alliances with the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka and the INLD in Haryana.
India’s Opposition is looking for a modern day Surjeet, but with one crucial difference. All the modern aspirants want the top job for themselves. Besides getting the numbers, managing individual ambitions will be their big challenge in 2019.