Narendra Modi as PM? NDA will split, says Congress

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The Congress on Saturday predicted that NDA would split if Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is projected as a prime ministerial candidate.

“The NDA will split if Modi is projected as a prime ministerial candidate,” said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

“Modi is feeling the need to fast, which means he has realised his involvement in crimes in Gujarat, but a fast cannot change anyone’s character. A fast does not lessen Modi’s crimes,” he said.

In the NDA, while the Janata Dal (U) has not appreciated the move, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena are enthused.

In the NDA, the JD(U) is not only maintaining distance from his fast but has not appreciated it so far. However, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiv Sena have been enthused by his fast.

On the other hand, the AIADMK has openly supported it although it is not part of the NDA. But its backing would make the Left, an ally, uncomfortable. Currently, it is the AIADMK led front in Tamil Nadu.

Sources said Modi’s projection would make its prospective allies cautious. The TDP, the BJD will find it difficult to have a strategic alliance with the BJP in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

But the BSP can re-ally with the BJP in Uttar Pradesh if people throw a fractured mandate in the coming state Assembly polls. This is because the BSP had allied with the BJP atleast thrice in UP earlier. The BJP sees the Trinamul Congress, the TDP, the BJD, the BSP, the National Conference are its natural allies.

And it may not hesitate to re-ally with the INLD in Haryana if its current alliance with the Haryana Janhit Congress (BL) led by late Bhajan Lal’s son Kuldeep Bishnoi, does not work. The BJP led NDA has not been expanding with or without Mr Modi for different reasons after 2004.

They said Modi has been known for his authoritarian style in his own party and the Sangh Parivar, therefore he cannot lead a coalition at the national level.

After winning two Assembly elections in Gujarat on divisive plank Modi is trying to play a role at the national level. But his attempt to become 'secular’ could be counter productive. This is becauase his mentor L K Advani did try when he had praised Muhammed Ali Jinnah in Pakistan and thus antagonised the RSS. The latter had virtually removed him from the BJP presidentship.