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THE prospect of three new governments has partially restored level playing field that the Congress had ceded after a series of BJP victories over the past five years. Till the results were announced, the only medium-sized state it ruled was Punjab. This paucity of governments under its belt compelled it to settle for bringing up the rear in Karnataka. Deciding to share power rather than wield it in Karnataka was politically astute, for it indicated that the grand old party was willing to settle for less, making it more attractive for regional parties. The elections to the three states have further reinforced the need for alliances. In hindsight the Congress ought to have walked the extra mile. But the BSPs and the SPs had played hard to get as they were unsure whether the political wind was blowing the Congress way.
The elections have immeasurably increased the Congress’ political capital. Chhattisgarh was the easiest win; the difference between the two main contenders was an unbridgeable 10 per cent. The 12 per cent vote share of the BSP and Ajit Jogi’s outfit did not become a factor. But Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan did not accrue easily to the Congress. The BJP logged more votes than the Congress in MP and had there been alliances with the BSP and the Gondwana Party, counting would not have been the all-day cliffhanger it turned into. In Rajasthan too, the Congress needs allies and what saved its bacon there were the pacts with the Bhartiya Tribal Party and Ajit Singh’s RLD. Also, the two Left MLAs can always lend a helping hand.
If the results have put the Congress in a healthier frame as a party, the precarious wins in MP and Rajasthan have reinforced the need to bring potential allies to the table for conversations on alliances in high seat-yielding states, especially UP. The wins have demonstrated that the Congress could now be the hand at the tiller. The BSP and SP, abstainers from the all-Opposition meeting earlier this week, should have settled their qualms about the Congress.
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