The struggle in the BJP on who should be projected its PM candidate, is making the Congress confident of retaining power at the Centre, a third time in succession.
For the Congress, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi would be an asset in the electoral battle. This is because his projection would consolidate anti BJP electorates who caste their votes decisively. Besides, this would weaken the incumbency factor.
Gujarat has always remained a turning point in Indian politics before the Emergency and after that. The BJP-led NDA lost 2004 Lok Sabha elections because of Gujarat riots in 2002. It weakened its allies and supporting parties. In fact, the desertion in the NDA had begun after the Gujarat riots. The Trinamul Congress, DMK, Biju Janata Dal, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and LJP quit the NDA under one pretext or other. Even the TDP has distanced itself from the saffron party since then. And now the Janata Dal (U) would find it difficult to remain with the BJP if Mr Modi wins in the internal battle for the PM.
On the other hand, the Congress had allied with the NCP, the DMK, PMK, MDMK, TRS and other parties before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections to defeat the NDA and formed the government on the outside support of the Left.
Even the SP and BSP would find it difficult to back the BJP under Mr Modi’s leadership.
Barring Raj Thackeray’s MNS and the Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) no party is willing to ally or re-ally with the BJP before the polls if one goes by the current mood in the political parties.
The BJP is also going back to the basics by asking its workers not be apologetic on the issue of Ram mandir at Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said power is a means, an instrument and not ultimate objective.