The Congress vastly upped its viability quotient for potential allies in the 2019 general elections with Tuesday’s victory lap in BJP-ruled States. Informal parleys had already begun among 21 opposition parties and a critical sign was seen with the Samajwadi Party (SP) indicating that it will support a Congress-led government in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
From Uttar Pradesh, where the most-crucial test of opposition unity lies, the Congress received a green signal with the Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav publicly stating that his party will support the Congress in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Both SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party were absent from Monday’s meeting of all opposition parties but Ramgopal Yadav encouragingly said that “no great meaning should be attached” to their not being present in the 21-party meet, a show of opposition strength before the commencement of Winter Session of Parliament.
Focus on farmers
In this meeting, the Opposition parties had resolved to “confront and defeat” the BJP. Making it clear that the tone for the 2019 campaign will be based on the issues of farmers, a statement issued by the Opposition said that “India needs a government that cares for working class,
As the contest in the three heartland States was primarily between the BJP and the Congress, Rahul Gandhi was the main campaigner and the issues on focus were agrarian distress, corruption such as Rafale and unemployment. The results proved that the Congress President is getting the voters’ attention.
Rajasthan PCC president and frontrunner for the post of Chief Minister Sachin Pilot dedicated the victory to Rahul Gandhi. He said the victory is a gift for Rahul Gandhi who completed one year as the president of Congress on Tuesday. “What could be a better gift to him than victory in these States,” Pilot asked.
The chorus from the rest of the opposition leaders was similarly enthused. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee said about the Assembly election results in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh: “The people voted against the BJP. This is the people’s verdict and the victory of the people… The semi-finals prove that the BJP is nowhere in all these States. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ in democracy. My congratulations to the winners.”
‘Secular’ coalition seen
The Congress has clearly improved its standing in a situation where unity at the Centre depends on State-wise seat sharing according to the strengths and weaknesses of each party. The BSP, possibly the most critical ally for in any opposition coalition, had walked out of a Congress alliance in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The SP, which is now promising support to the Congress, had also contested separately. But with the Congress improving its strength, pressure would be on parties like the BSP and the SP to join a Congress-led “secular” coalition.
The downside for the Congress is its alliance with the TDP failing miserably in Telangana. But electoral success brings with it possibilities for the future. The CPI(M), which also fought these elections separately and won two seats in Rajasthan, urged the new governments to be formed to respect the people’s verdict and adopt policies aimed at improving people’s livelihood and reducing their miseries.
“These governments must also ensure that the unity of the people and the integrity of the country are not further damaged by the BJP’s politics of communal polarisation,” a statement by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said. Clearly, it was a call for uniting in a Congress-led coalition.