Talk of a possible mid-term Lok Sabha election has begun in UPA circles as its leaders fear that if the stalemate between the government and the Opposition over a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam persists, it could extend to the Budget Session early next year. The division in the Congress and its allies on the JPC issue has already become clear with the latter privately asking what is the harm in having a JPC in the spectrum scam.
They might be backing the Congress on this issue being ministers in the government, but its “no JPC” line has not convinced the UPA partners.
On the other hand, a section of the parties backing the Manmohan Singh government from outside, views an early Lok Sabha election possible next year if the Congress fails to contain the outburst of corruption issues.
According to them, the political situation after the West Bengal polls would be fluid.
The Congress, BJP and the Left would compete with each other to win over regional parties either to remain in power or to weaken the government of the day.
A senior Congress leader from Tamil Nadu viewed that the DMK is not on a sound wicket. “If the anti-incumbency could mar electoral prospects of the DMK, the spectrum scam could damage it further. Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh will have to take a call whether or not to fight the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with the DMK,” he said.