Cong keeps losing allies, but will BJP stand to gain?

With the Congress facing problems on the ally front yet again, the question is whether the BJP stands to gain from Congress’ troubles.

With the Congress facing problems on the ally front yet again, the question is whether the BJP stands to gain from Congress’ troubles.

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As of now, it seems the party hopes to gain only indirectly, seeing any loss to Congress as its default gain.

The reason: the NDA, reduced to a shadow of its former self under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, isn’t showing signs of expansion just yet. Its sole allies at present are Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Both the JD(U) and the Shiv Sena can’t be trusted to see the NDA through to 2014. Both the parties have publicly rejected Narendra Modi as their choice of PM candidate for the NDA.

Senior party leaders like LK Advani are also averse to Modi, with MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan comparing his state’s development with Gujarat.

This is why despite the UPA’s growing problems; the BJP is waiting and watching. Party leader Venkaiah Naidu said: “We’re not doing anything to bring the government down. It’ll collapse on its own.”