Not in the race to be 2019 PM: Nitish Kumar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he wasn't an aspirant for the post of Prime Minister in 2019 elections. He said that his party was a small one and he would run Bihar as mandated by the people. However, he stressed on the need for all the opposition parties to be united alliance against BJP at the national level.
A Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance)- The next trick up Opposition's sleeve
The defining trigger for India's opposition parties (12 atleast) is to defeat BJP in the 2019 elections, a feat impossible on their own. Many have given noble reasons for a 'Grand Alliance', some calling it to "unite the secular", others, to guard India's "pluralistic character", and some even "to save the nation and Constitution". This looks like the only means to defeat BJP.
Problems with Opposition's grandiose plans to unite
While it is a novel plan to take on BJP but how will the Opposition put up a united front in the face of "ideological differences, personal ambitions and the short-lived nature of such opportunistic coalitions"? Winning comes later but even uniting seems difficult, with rumors of the Lalu-Nitish split getting louder. Moreover, does the Opposition even have leaders who could pull this off?
3 past grand alliances that failed to make a mark
India saw 3 grand alliances in the past, in 1977 against Indira Gandhi. The second alliance under the Janata Dal and the third was under the United Front banner in 1996. None completed 5 years and ended in 2 years or less.
Mayawati, Akhilesh chime in on the grand alliance against BJP
UP seems to be set for a grand alliance in the face of a formidable BJP and the poor show in UP elections. Mayawati spoke about the need for the alliance and soon after Akhilesh Yadav reiterated the same. Akhilesh Yadav said, "I am ready for an alliance against propaganda. I will duly perform my role in such an alliance."
Akhilesh may be ready, but for one problem- Mulayam Singh
A day after Akhilesh Yadav said that he was ready for a 'Maha GathBandhan', SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav contradicted the statement stating that his party was capable of taking on BJP alone. Mulayam said: "Samajwadi saksham hain akele".
Sonia meets Nitish, discuss grand alliance, presidential elections
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met Sonia Gandhi to talk about a grand alliance to defeat the BJP in 2019. The Bihar Chief Minister spoke to Gandhi regarding the need for a consensus from non-BJP parties for fielding a joint opposition candidate as the presidential nominee. Kumar told Gandhi that he had already garnered Sitaram Yechury, D Raja and Sharad Pawar's support for this.
The Mamata factor- Says grand alliance 'need of the hour'
Mamata Banerjee too was seen humming the tune of the Grand Alliance post her meeting with Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. She accused the BJP of separating the people over religious identities, and urged all regional parties to unite as it was the 'need of the hour'. She said that BJP could easily be tackled by a united national alliance.
Mission Oppose- Lalu asks parties to 'sink differences'
RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav urged the non-BJP parties to "sink their differences" and join hand for the Grand Alliance to overcome the saffron party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He stated that "positive talks" had been held with "Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati" to forge the alliance.
