NEW DELHI: The race for the Muslim vote in Uttar Pradesh, up for grabs after the Muzzaffarnagar riots, has made for some unlikely chatter between Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party. The two, especially Congress, could benefit from a seat adjustment or at least a basic understanding in crucial seats in UP which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha.
"If one looks at the way the minority vote went in 2009 (General Elections) and 2012 (Assembly polls), it prefers a strong bulwark against BJP. With Modi at the helm, that is even more crucial now. The SP has failed to protect Muslims in the recent riots and will vote seat-wise for the candidate who will best take on BJP," said a senior Congress leader.
This, a source added, could mean that if BSP and Congress field candidates strategically, they could take advantage of each other's support base in these seats. "These are, however, preliminary thoughts," said the leader.
"Moreover, certain necessary conditions need to be fulfilled both at the Centre and the state for this to be beneficial to BSP," he added. The first condition, he says, is that Congress announce a quota for Jats in central jobs. This would break the Jat polarisation in favour of the BJP in Western UP, the belt the party may sweep in the next round of polls.
"Besides, SP is debilitated, so we are not really desperate for help, as BSP is seen as the natural beneficiary when SP loses. If Congress can improve the perception of the government, we may do a rethink."
Dr Badri Narayan, who has recently authored the well regarded 'Fascinating Hindutva : Saffron Politics and Dalit Mobilisation', saidatie-upcannot be ruled out. "I would see an anti communal front working below the surface, in an almost subterranean way," he said. "The situation in central UP is different from that of western and in the eastern belt. Both parties can, by careful candidate selection capture the minority vote along with other social groups," he said.
Both parties are watching the results of the next round of assembly polls very carefully. If the Modi chemistry starts to fizz and crackle, the 'elephant' may yet gain a guiding 'hand'.
Source: EconomicTimes
"If one looks at the way the minority vote went in 2009 (General Elections) and 2012 (Assembly polls), it prefers a strong bulwark against BJP. With Modi at the helm, that is even more crucial now. The SP has failed to protect Muslims in the recent riots and will vote seat-wise for the candidate who will best take on BJP," said a senior Congress leader.
This, a source added, could mean that if BSP and Congress field candidates strategically, they could take advantage of each other's support base in these seats. "These are, however, preliminary thoughts," said the leader.
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BSP is coy on the matter. "Traditionally, we have been able to transfer our vote to our ally, but the reverse does not happen," said a senior party official who did not wish to be named. "We also have an issue to settle with Congress in Rajasthan. In the last assembly polls, we won seven seats and supported the Gehlot government. He rewarded our support by breaking our party and co-opting our MLAs, we need to settle that grudge match," said the leader. |
"Moreover, certain necessary conditions need to be fulfilled both at the Centre and the state for this to be beneficial to BSP," he added. The first condition, he says, is that Congress announce a quota for Jats in central jobs. This would break the Jat polarisation in favour of the BJP in Western UP, the belt the party may sweep in the next round of polls.
"Besides, SP is debilitated, so we are not really desperate for help, as BSP is seen as the natural beneficiary when SP loses. If Congress can improve the perception of the government, we may do a rethink."
Dr Badri Narayan, who has recently authored the well regarded 'Fascinating Hindutva : Saffron Politics and Dalit Mobilisation', saidatie-upcannot be ruled out. "I would see an anti communal front working below the surface, in an almost subterranean way," he said. "The situation in central UP is different from that of western and in the eastern belt. Both parties can, by careful candidate selection capture the minority vote along with other social groups," he said.
Both parties are watching the results of the next round of assembly polls very carefully. If the Modi chemistry starts to fizz and crackle, the 'elephant' may yet gain a guiding 'hand'.
Source: EconomicTimes
Don't differentiate people of India into groups like majority or minority .
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