Kairana in mind, BJP, Cong look to forge alliances in MP

BHOPAL: Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are looking to forge alliances with smaller political parties carrying influence in certain pockets of Madhya Pradesh for the forthcoming general elections, according to leaders from both sides.

The Congress wants a united opposition in Madhya Pradesh to replicate the success of the strategy used in the Kairana Lok Sabha seat and Noorpur assembly seat bypolls in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP on the other hand, is looking to stitch an alliance with parties that can garner the saffron party additional votes.

Newly-appointed state Congress president Kamal Nath has already made it clear that he would like to go with like minded parties to defeat the BJP.

“We want a tactical alliance on a united opposition to ensure that it’s a Congress-led government in the state and that we are not dictated by alliance partners particularly in the present circumstances when there is a strong anti-incumbency factor against the government and Congress’ vote share is bound to increase”, said a Congress leader on condition of anonymity.

Madhya Pradesh Congress in charge Dipak Babaria said, “All I can say at this juncture is that we are open to joining hands with like-minded parties like the BSP, Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP), etc but it’s a matter of negotiations before any alliance takes a final shape.”

The GGP which won three seats in the state assembly elections in 2003 has been approached by the Congress as was admitted by the GGP’s new state president Manmohan Shah Batti.

BJP leaders are not comfortable with the Congress’ alliance talks and are in touch with smaller parties.

A senior BJP leader, who was not willing to be quoted, said talks but refused to divulge details saying the negotiations were in its initial stage. “Let’s wait and watch,” he said.