MARCH

POLL SNAPSHOTS
UPA – SINKING
SHIP !
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is being
termed a sinking ship and parties are
desperately trying to discard it. Corruption
and non-performance have made the UPA
very unpopular among the people as was
witnessed during the elections to five state
assemblies in November 2013. People voted
against the Congress with a vengeance like
never before. Sensing trouble, several parties
like the NCP are already feeling it very uncomfortable
to stay back with the alliance. Its
leader tried its bit by trying to prop up a third
front. But it did not take shape. Rashtriya Lok
Dal (RLD) led by Union Minister Ajit Singh
is not averse to switching fences. He is said to
have been in talks with NDA leaders, but BJP
appear to be wary of his presence in NDA and
the gains he would get the party in Western
Uttar Pradesh. Hoping, BJP would be in a position
to do well without RLD, its leaders are
not taking the cue.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is
unlikely to support the Congress despite its
bonhomie with it while Andhra Pradesh
Congress has split with Kiran Reddy leading
a faction. Congress party’s alliance with
National Conference led by Omar Abdullah is
also on a rocky boat. What is surprising is the
fact that several Congress leaders have quit
the party or have expressed their reluctance
to contest elections.
Modi from Varanasi!
In a season of polls political parties are doing their best to put up their best
foot forward. While BJP leader Narendra Modi has been making the right
moves and noises, there are talks about him contesting from a seat in Uttar
Pradesh. Some observers are saying he is eyeing Varanasi, a seat held by
senior BJP leader Dr Murli Manohar Joshi. Will NaMo take the bait and will
Joshi shift is to be seen, but if he contests from UP Modi will send a strong
message to all his opponents. And in UP, Varanasi seem to the best choice.
31