Sonia plugs common agenda but it’s easier said than done

The question of a CMP, many feel, may make alliance-building more difficult than easy. For one, it will further drive a wedge between the Left parties and the Congress (given their differences on economic issues), and will also make it difficult for parties with specific agenda (such as the Telangana Rashtra samiti or Gondwana Ganatantra party) to come on board.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy said the mood at the Congress meeting today was ‘‘upbeat’’ and all state leaders had ‘‘warmly welcomed the bold initiatives taken by the Congress president to forge adjustments, and alliances with like-minded parties in various states.’’

However, the actual ground situation did not look quite so rosy except in Tamil Nadu where the DMK-led alliance is well underway. Sonia Gandhi will be meeting DMK chief Karunanidhi’s two emissaries—former union minister T R Baalu and DMK’s deputy general secretary M K Stalin—to work out details of the alliance.

The prospects of a Congress-NCP tie-up following the Sonia-Pawar meeting last night also made some headway with Pawar holding discussions with Sonia’s emissary Manmohan Singh.

But Congressmen were none too pleased with Pawar’s statement about a ‘‘collective leadership’’ for the secular front. In an interview to NDTV 24X7, Pawar spoke out in favour of a ‘‘collective leadership’’ and said the issue of who would be their prime minister candidate ‘‘will be decided by all the leaders of our front if we get a majority. We may also have to consult the leaders of the Left and other like-minded parties after the elections.’’

The statement seemed to indicate that even if the Congress party was the single largest contingent of the secular alliance, its leader would not automatically be the candidate for prime ministership.

Although Sonia Gandhi at her Mumbai press conference on December 28 had herself remarked that the issue of prime ministership would be decided ‘‘by the people,’’ Congressmen were at pains to emphasise today that she had not ruled herself out as a prospective PM. Reports that she had told Left and other leaders that she was not in the race were ‘‘incorrect’’ since the issue of leadership ‘‘had never come up in the talks,’’ they said.

But the fact that the Congress refused to issue an official denial indicated that Sonia Gandhi did not want to raise the leadership issue at this stage when delicate negotiations with a range of political parties were yet to be clinched.

The BSP national executive meeting proved another dampener on Congress hopes today, with Mayawati stating that she did not want to take any ‘‘hasty decision’’ on choosing a poll partner right now. She would make up her mind once the elections were announced.

While she did assert that ‘‘there was no question’’ of joining hands with the BJP, she also said she had no plans to meet Sonia Gandhi again before taking a decision on who to ally with. Indications are that she will drive a hard bargain with the Congress—demanding seats outside UP and giving no more than 30 seats to them in UP—if she finally agrees to an alliance.