Congress-BSP tie runs into deadlock

The Congress functionary said while the party cannot afford to accept the BSP’s demands because it has “strong candidates” and doing this “would cause heartburn” and force people to “work against the party”, both parties will try and sort out the issue and firm up an alliance soon.

Bahujan Samaj Party leaders refused to come on record on the issue, saying the final call on the alliance would be taken by BSP chief Mayawati.

BSP founder Kanshi Ram had fought his first Lok Sabha election from Janjgir-Champa, a district in the tribal-dominated state of Chattisgarh where the party has around 40% Satnami vote.

The negotiations between the two parties have also been strained by the BSP’s demand that the alliance extend to Rajasthan, a state where the Congress believes it has a limited presence.

Political observers are of the view that the onus is on the BSP as the Congress has been a major player directly contesting the Bharatiya Janat Party in both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

“There has to be reasonable give and take from the sides. All this talk of demands is mere posturing before the leaders of the two parties formally sit to seal the deal,” said Delhi-based political analyst Balveer Arora.

“The Congress is a key player in both the states and the BSP’s main strength is in Uttar Pradesh. Its presence in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is not that significant. It is important for both the parties to understand the necessity of having an alliance,” he added.