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| The likely NC allies in 2008 assembly elections | | | Early Times Special Correspondent
Jammu | Jan 7
The present ruling coalition partners, Congress and PDP having ironed out their differences and their fighting the next assembly elections in the state in alliance, having now become more or less a certainty, while another coalition partner in the government People's Democratic Front having for all practical purposes merged with Congress, the main opposition party in the state, National Conference is desperately in search of alliance partners to face the formidable combine of the present ruling parties. The National Conference, which had earlier announced that it would go alone in the next elections and would not form alliance with any party, has now second thought about its electoral strategy. This rethinking in the party, which is evident from the statement by the NC President Omer Abdullah that his party would form alliance with like minded parties for the next assembly elections, has been as a result of realization by the party leadership that their fighting elections in isolation will put them at disadvantage compared to the united fight by the ruling coalition partners.
Among the likely alliance partners of the National Conference, the party is eyeing on the CPIM, CPI, JKNPP, SP and even BSP. The NC patron and former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's assertion that the third front at the national level can be only viable, if the left parties join the same, is hint enough that his party would try to rope in CPIM and CPI for some sort of alliance for the assembly elections in J&K. Although Farooq Abdullah has stated that his party is keeping the option open for joining the third front, which is likely to emerge at the centre, their joining hand with National Conference in the state assembly elections will pave the way for NC joining the front at the national level. Although Mulayam Singh's Socialist Party in the state has no representation in the state assembly at present and the party has hardly any pocket of influence which can ensure its victory in any assembly constituency, yet its sizable votes in certain segments can tilt the balance. The party has the only known leader in the state, the former MLA and a one term Rajya Sabha member, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, who is the President of the State Unit of SP. Abdul Rehman is stated to be having close proximity with NC leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, during the period NC was ruling in the state. In fact Sheikh Abdul Rehman, who was at that time heading BSP in the state, was removed as President of the State Unit of BSP, on account of complaints lodged with the Party supremo Mayawati, by some state BSP leaders against Abdul Rehman of his having secret understanding with the ruling National Conference and not playing the role of a genuine leader of a opposition party. Presently Abdul Rehman is the President of J&K unit of SP, while Mulayam Singh is all set to lead the third front under formation, the State Unit of SP is believed to be the natural ally of National Conference in the state assembly election. Sheikh Rehman, who has represented Bhaderwah seat in the state assembly for one term, but who was defeated in 2002 elections, will in all probability like to fight 2008 assembly elections from Bhaderwah, from where he can hope to win, with the support of National Conference. Hence He will be all out for his party's alliance with the NC. But in return for leaving one seat of Bhaderwah for SP and supporting its candidate there, what will NC gain, is a matter of speculation.
As far the leftist parties alliance with NC, the CPIM leader, M Y Tarigami, the sitting MLA from Pulwama, has good deal of influence in the constituency and in return of NC support to him in the next elections, the CPIM can transfer some votes in pockets of its influence to the National Conference. Similarly, the alliance between the National Conference and J&KNPP can improve the prospects of both the parties, the Panthers Party which at present has four seats in its kitty, is expected to retain only one seat, if it fights elections on its own this time. But in alliance with the NC, its prospects will improve in all the remaining three seats which it represents presently. In return National Conference can also be marginally gainer in half a dozen seats in Jammu region. But by forming alliance with National Conference Panthers shall have to make a lot of explaining to the electorates of Jammu, including from those areas which voted them to victory in the 2002 assembly elections, by playing pro Jammu region card, including solidly standing for reorganisation of J&K state, which precisely meant separate Jammu state. NC is perceived by the common people in Jammu as a Kashmir centric and anti Jammu party, in the light of this the Volta face by the Panthers in joining hands with the NC will put it in defensive. But then Panthers Party and its leaders are known for having no scruples and no permanent ideology. The party leaders can go to any length for political expediency. |
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