The Congress will have to depend on about half-a-dozen political parties to ensure stability at the Centre if the DMK comes out of the Union government as a first step after getting cornered on the corruption issue. Its step, if taken on Monday, could lead to a game changer.
The DMK (18 members in the Lok Sabha) has been with the Congress for last seven years because of the political convenience. In fact, the Dravadian party has learnt the trick of how to remain in power at the Centre since 1996. It was in the United Front , the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led UPA governments ever since.
The Samajwadi Party (with 22 seats) and the BSP (with 21 seats) are keen to occupy a space if the DMK vacates it. But the Congress could have to pay a “price” for it. Because their leaders have been facing various cases in court.
Moreover, the Congress will find it difficult to check them in Uttar Pradesh as it going to the polls next year. This could also be seen as a setback to AICC general Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to revive the party in Uttar Pradesh.
Besides the AIADMK (with nine seats), the Rashtriya Lok Dal (with five seats), the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD (with four seats) and the Janata Dals(S) which has three members in the Lok Sabha are willing to play a role at the national level to ensure political stability. This means the Congress would have to accommodate them in power, directly or indirectly.
And the new equations could make the Congress vulnerable to make compromises, defend these leaders and would find it difficult to check them in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are not only the major players in these states but know how to damage the Congress.