LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE – INDIA TO FACE GENERAL ELECTIONS SOON

With the 16^th General elections fast approaching which is supposed to be held in 2014,  sometimes even before that, such a possibility is very much strong among the political circles like National Defence Alliance (NDA) led by main opposition party BJP and the Left Front.

What is up the sleeves Congress politicians are not yet clear, they might be weighing the pros and cons of holding general elections before the scheduled time, before jumping to the fore.

India’s two right-wing alliances UPA (United Progressive Alliance) led by Indian National Congress, which is in the saddle and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by Bharatiya Janata Party are busy making preparations to face the coming General election.

As a step in the right direction Indian National Congress has already held a Chintan Sivir in Jaipur, Rajasthan which was attended by Congress leaders across the country. ‘Chintan Sivir’ which  was looked upon with great interest and curiosity by main political parties including BJP and Leftist parties as well as journalists and political observers as it was seen as the most important gathering of Congress party sometimes the last of its kind, media personalities, political observers and opposition leaders took a  special interest in discussions, debates and deliberations among the Congress leaders especially due to the majority of Congressmen’s desire to see Rahul Gandhi taking over the reins of Party who is seen by them as the future Prime Minister of India in the place  of the incumbent Prime Minister Dr.ManMohan Singh who has almost completed or on the verge of completion two terms in the prestigious chair, Rahul Gandhi taking over the mantle from Dr.ManMohan Singh is a long-awaited dream of most Congress men who are very  much shining in their roles of sycophants since a long time. Though the latter in the Indian National Congress keeping ulterior motives in their minds were competing with one another to persuade Rahul Gandhi to hold the levers of power a reluctant Mr.Gandhi always evaded from such a demand for reasons best known to him. His reluctance to take up cardinal positions in the UPA govt was attributed by a majority of media personalities, political observers as well as Opposition leaders as his lack of confidence to take up responsibility. But the loyal Congress men who   constitute a majority in the Grand Old Party continued to exert pressure on him to come to the forefront and lead the party forward.

With the advices and persuasions continuing non-stop Rahul was left with no choice except to take up the post of Vice-President of the party with his mother Sonia Gandhi continuing as President or Supreme Leader of the Party.

In the ‘Chintan Sivir’ Rahul’s name was proposed by none other than the leader widely known for ‘his integrity and principles’  A.K.Antony, the Defence Minister  seconded by two spokespersons of the Party.

Thus the ultimate responsibility of leading the Party from the forefront thereby making preparations for  the impending General Election has fallen upon Mr.Gandhi.

Soon after unanimously getting elected as Vice-President of the Party Mr.Gandhi made an emotional speech before the gathering of the Congressmen in which he mentioned the brutal assassination of his Grand Mother Indira Gandhi followed by the tragic end of his beloved father Rajiv Gandhi who was reluctant to occupy the saddle of Prime Minister and Rahul’s mother Sonia Gandhi breaking down recalling the tragedies which fell upon the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which was listened to in rapt attention by the  Congressmen assembled there who too got emotional with pain and sorrow overpowering them.

In his speech, Rahul never forgot to shower praises on Dr.ManMohan Singh who in his capacity as Prime Minister initiated economic reforms which catapulted the country to great heights. His mother Sonia Gandhi too took up the opportunity to applaud Dr.Singh profusely for giving a face-lift to the nation by introducing neo-liberal economic reforms and foreign policies which invited the widespread acclamations of rulers across the world.

INC’s Chintan Sivir ended on a satisfactory note giving a message to Indian citizens that Rahul Gandhi is set to emerge as the future minister.

On the other side BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) held its National Council meeting was held in Delhi in which all leaders and party men across the country had participated. Sensing an impending General Election leaders were busy making preparations for bridging the differences among its leaders once and for all sending a message to all who assembled there the need of standing united forgetting all indifferences among the leaders to take on UPA alliance unitedly in the event of a general election even before the 2014 deadline. NDA alliance led by BJP is determined to come to power next time primarily because the ruling UPA alliance is neck-deep in corruption, scams and scandals ruling the roost, country’s  economy is in a shambles, prices of essential commodities mounting up an law and order situation getting worse. Therefore to prevent the UPA alliance from coming to power the third time the party leaders took the opportunity to find an apt person who is most suited to lead the alliance from the front and occupy the prestigious post of Prime Minister- efficient and at the same time corrupt-free leader who has already proved his mettle- and in their search for such a person Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat emerged the unanimous choice. All leaders were united in declaring Narendra Modi as the appropriate person to lead the nation.

In the two day conclave BJP has amply made it clear to all its unanimous decision to declare Mr.Modi as the next Prime Ministerial candidate of National Defence Alliance.

With Mr.Modi chosen as Prime Ministerial candidate of NDA, the lingering doubts in the minds of many are, whether NDA will continue with the same allies. Nitish Kumar Janata Dal (U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister who is strongly opposed to Mr.Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate continuing in the NDA alliance is a distant possibility. Anyhow BJP is firm in its decision.

Thus the two right-wing alliances are poised to jump to the fore, ready for a fight at the hustings. The lack of a cohesive and competent Left Front is still smothering its leaders. They are groping in the dark to find ways to take on the two alliances. Lack of an efficient and strong Left Front alliance with the ability to emerge as an alternative is at present the bane of Indian political scenario. The Left-Front emerging as an alternative, a dream cherished by the lower middle class and millions living below poverty line who constitute the lower strata of Indian society which unfortunately will continue to remain an unfulfilled dream.