WSN Service

NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal led by former Prime Minister Mr V.P Singh together with its leftist and regional allies are all set to pose a formidable challenge to Congress (I) as India goes to the election in May. The Hindu fundamentalist Bharatiya Janata Party is the third major electoral force which hopes to comer sizeable votes of the majority community in the background of its agitation for the demolition of Babri Mosque and construction in its place of Rama Mandir at Ayodhia.

Parties are currently busy formulating their election slogans and postures They are also engaged in probing the minds of their rivals to forge electoral alliances to strengthen their positions.

The Janata Dal has announced its plan to put up candidates for all 525 Lok Sabha constituencies. Some of these constituencies are likely to be offered to the party’s affiliates in the States as well as to the two major Communist parties the C.P.(M) and the C.P.I. efforts may also be made to seek adjustment with Bahujan Samaj Party of Mr Kanshi Ram.

Mr Kanshi Ram himself said .recently that “left to myself I would go it alone and 95% of the party is also with me on this subject” Mr Kanshi Ram further said that five per cent of B.S.P workers were in favor of joining hands with Mr V.P Singh owing to similar of vews on the matter of social justice.

Many observers feel that the recent pro-Mandal stance adopted by Mr V.P.Singh and its strong Opposition by upper castes entrenched in B.J.P. on the one hand and Congress (I) on the other has convinced Ambedkanites that Mr Singh and his party were sincere about implementing certain social welfare measures aimed at benefiting scheduled castes and backward communities They are opposed to Mr Kanshi Ram joining hands with the Congress (I) propped up Janata Dal (S) headed by Mr Chander Shekhar A few B.S.P candidates who policed sizable votes in the last election are unhappy with Mr Kanshi Ram for voting in favor of Mr Chander Shekhar. The candidates from Bhind and Rewa in fact formally joined the Janata Dal by deserting Mr Kanshi Rams outfit. Mr Kanshi Ram now admits that he went too far in supporting Mr Shekhar which he appears to rue.

The B.J.P. leadership has also announced plans to field about 400 candidates and reach understanding with such pro-fundamentalist regional groups as Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The main election theme of the party will be Ram Mandir at Ayodhia and political stability

There is considerable confusion in the Congress (I) over the attitude it should adopt towards the caste-based reservation in public services advocated by Mr V.P.Singh. While Shiv Shankar and Vithal Gadgil are said to be in favor of adopting a pro-Mandal stance others are not sure of the correctness of the lime. In any case Rajiv Gandhi in his speeches will not highlight the opponent’s personalities and will thus refrain from attacking Mr V.P.\Singh or Mr Advani. He will emphasis the Congress (I) promise of political stability.

Initial reports suggest that Rajiv Gandhi in his constituency in U.P.Amethi will encounter Sadhvi Ritambhara of Vishay Hindu Parishad. The latter wants to tum the contest between “saint versus sinner”.

There is considerable bad blood between Congress (I) and Mr Chander Shekhars party. the Janata Dal (Socialist). The top leaders have made public statements accusing each other of betrayal. It is still not clear how will Mr Shekhar go about in the forthcoming election. The Janata Dal of Mr V.P.Singh has shut its doors to Mr Shekhar. The latter could either make adjustments with Bharatiya Janata Party or Congress (I) But the (two parties have set tough terms.

As things are Mr Shekhar may not find the going easy in his traditional stronghold in Bihar Ballia He appears to be aware of it and his supporters in Haryana have offered him a “safer seat” at Kurukshetra. Shekhars main supporters are Mr Devi Lal and his son Chautala.

Political circles have been in intrigued at reports that Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann sent an emissary to meet Shekhar while Mann himself has been camping in Delhi possibly to persuade the government to order election in Punjab as well. But Mann denied these reports.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 22, 1991