E-Paper
'PM is the best bet for BJP until 2014 elections'
The main opposition party may show it's "ever ready" for polls and want to see the UPA government out of office anytime. But, privately, BJP leaders are no less happy than UPA managers over the current number game. Shekhar Iyer reports.
The main opposition party may show it's "ever ready" for polls and want to see the UPA government out of office anytime. But, privately, BJP leaders are no less happy than UPA managers over the current number game.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's show of support for the Congress did not come unexpected for senior BJP leaders.
On September 20, Yadav had kept away from joining a protest organised by traders against the FDI because of presence of BJP leaders. "PM Manmohan Singh's continuation in office is the best bet for the BJP," said a key BJP strategist. "Even though, we have been demanding that the PM should go for the coal allocation scam, our inner desire is that his government remains in the office for some more months to cause more damage to the Congress' image."
Even NDA convenor and JD-U chief Sharad Yadav said the purpose of nationwide agitation was "not ousting the government" but to bring people together against its "anti-national" policies.
Senior BJP leaders held that, in their calculation, a "tottering" UPA completing its term with the help of the SP and BSP better suited their strategy for the next Lok Sabha polls than - a snap poll in the immediate future.
They said they did not see any possibility in reversal of the Congress' fortune in the wake of slew of reform measures by the UPA government at this juncture. "We don't think cosmetic touches to policies in the next one month or so can dramatically alter the image of this government," said a BJP leader.
A long haul would also see the new-found "Third Front" to run its course and work to BJP's advantage, some party's strategists added.
They said, like in 2009, the prospect of a loose grouping of parties capturing power might scare the voters to turn away from the regional satraps and pitch for the BJP.
A BJP mega conclave at Surajkhund from September 26 will focus more on publicising the UPA's failures and scams.
Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
