BJP gears for mid-term poll

With the Left threatening to withdraw support to the UPA Government, the Opposition BJP is eyeing a mid-term poll.

With the Left threatening to withdraw support to the UPA Government, the Opposition BJP is eyeing a mid-term poll.

On Sunday, the BJP brass deliberated on the ongoing political crisis in the ruling coalition. “We came to the conclusion that mid-term polls are inevitable and round the corner,” party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

The meeting, held at the house of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was also attended by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh, senior leaders Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Naqvi.

Story continues below this ad

The BJP sees an opportunity in the crisis and is trying to put its own house in order before a possible election. The party will try to add fat to the fire, by trying to corner the Left into opposing the Congress. While the Congress is betting on the improbability of the Left joining hands with the BJP —the only scenario that will pull down the Government—the saffron party will have to show extraordinary tact to achieve its politics end.

The BJP meeting also decided to press on with their demand to discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal only under Rule 184, which requires a vote after the debate.

On Monday, party leaders will talk to their allies in the NDA as well as with constituents of the UNPA in Parliament on coordination.

“We have discussed the situation which may lead to early polls,” BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley said, adding that his party was concerned about the crisis, which has “paralysed” governance. He alleged the Prime Minister’s authority has been completely eroded.