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 well Modi’s remains if The the effort, be Opposition personal the robust; largest therefore, popularity and is force fragmented, even in in the with the remains past next a dip it few Parliament. has high; in months numbers, little the chance BJP’s in And the the organisation Opposition that of party success. is may why to camp, possible; lines But forge to it has reconcile requires a and post-poll been ensure two-fold: individuals interests alliance, channels stitch and if with necessary. ambitions; are up the as open broad relationships among it a requires pre-poll non-BJP across individuals alliance parties party as with CPI(M) role political general in the formation stature. secretary, Harkishan of was the one United such Singh Front leader. Surjeet, governments He played the former a after crucial 1996; in 2004. he In also both ensured cases, his that ambition the Left Front was straightforward supported the Congress : keeping out Telangana the BJP. chief Many minister in the Opposition K Chandrashekhar today seek to Rao play has this been role. 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.