New Delhi, Jan 27: The opposition INDIA bloc was in the grip of a crisis on Saturday with the JD(U) saying the alliance was collapsing amid indications that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will switch back to the NDA, prompting the Congress allege that the BJP is doing its best to cause a “mini implosion” in the coalition.
The Congress, however, also exuded confidence that both Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, being co-architects of the INDIA bloc, would remain a part of the alliance and said efforts were on by the Congress president to reach out to both of them.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee had announced that her party TMC will fight the Lok Sabha elections “alone” in the state, and if Kumar decides to return to the NDA fold, it will be another big blow to the opposition front formed to take on the BJP.
“Personally, yes the optics could have been better. There is no implosion. But the BJP is working overtime to ensure there is a minimum implosion if not a maximum implosion,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said when asked about the developments.
Ramesh said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has been trying to speak with Kumar and his office has responded. But the two are unable to connect due to their pre-occupations, the Congress general secretary said. “We are willing to take any step to strengthen the INDIA” bloc, he said.
He also claimed that no one is unhappy, but admitted that the seat-sharing talks are difficult as everyone wants more seats. “We expect INDIA to move forward. The situation could be better. I won’t say it is tense,” he said.
Ramesh also claimed that they have finalised seat-sharing in many states but have not announced yet.
In the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 Lok Sabha constituencies, the Samajwadi Party announced that it has offered 11 seats to the Congress, with former chief minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav asserting that their alliance is “off to a good start”.
Ramesh said senior leader Ashok Gehlot is holding talks with the SP chief over seat-sharing and it is taking place in a positive and constructive environment. “We will inform you once a formula is finalised,” he said.
Speaking in Karnataka, Kharge said his party expects that those who have the desire to protect the country’s Constitution and democracy, will definitely not take any hasty steps. He said the Congress will make all efforts to keep the INDIA bloc united, though he added that he has no clarity as to what is in the JD(U) leadership’s mind.
The Bihar chief minister succeeded in bringing together several parties in Patna but the entire process became so limp that the INDIA bloc has had no joint meetings on leadership and agenda. (PTI)
