Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is trying to work out its pre-poll alliances. Both RJD chief Lalu Prasad and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan have assured the Congress of their support.
With corruption being a major issue this time in elections, the Congress is finding it hard to make up its mind.
Out on bail, Lalu Prasad has announced that the Congress and RJD will form an alliance for the coming months. But the question is whether the former Bihar Chief Minister jumping the gun or the Congress is ready to forge an alliance with old friends RJD and LJP.
Sources say the party is strongly considering the option with a large section of Bihar Congress favouring a pre-poll alliance with Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan.
"I have told the high command about the political situation in Bihar and now its up to them to take a call," said Bihar Pradesh Congress Chief Ashok Chaudhary.
The final decision will have to be taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi after an election committee headed by AK Antony gives its report on options ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
But the biggest dilemma before the Congress is whether it would like to be seen fighting an election with Lalu, especially when the party has been trying to show its commitment to fighting corruption by rejecting the ordinance on convicted MPs and the passing of the Lokpal Bill.
LJP's Ram Vilas Paswan is committed to supporting the Congress and RJD, but is not ready to stick his neck out just yet. Sources say this is because the Congress hasn't made up its mind and is talking to JDU as well.
"The Congress has to decide that at a time when corruption is such a big issue, will they like to tie up with the RJD," said JDU leader Sabir Ali.
While Lalu may be an old friend, the Congress is keeping all options open especially after the drubbing in four state polls. Certain Congress leaders feel that tying up with Lalu, a convicted MP, could hurt the party's image. So while Lalu Prasad may have made his intentions clear, the Congress isn't going to reveal its cards just yet.
With corruption being a major issue this time in elections, the Congress is finding it hard to make up its mind.
Out on bail, Lalu Prasad has announced that the Congress and RJD will form an alliance for the coming months. But the question is whether the former Bihar Chief Minister jumping the gun or the Congress is ready to forge an alliance with old friends RJD and LJP.
Sources say the party is strongly considering the option with a large section of Bihar Congress favouring a pre-poll alliance with Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan.
"I have told the high command about the political situation in Bihar and now its up to them to take a call," said Bihar Pradesh Congress Chief Ashok Chaudhary.
The final decision will have to be taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi after an election committee headed by AK Antony gives its report on options ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
But the biggest dilemma before the Congress is whether it would like to be seen fighting an election with Lalu, especially when the party has been trying to show its commitment to fighting corruption by rejecting the ordinance on convicted MPs and the passing of the Lokpal Bill.
LJP's Ram Vilas Paswan is committed to supporting the Congress and RJD, but is not ready to stick his neck out just yet. Sources say this is because the Congress hasn't made up its mind and is talking to JDU as well.
"The Congress has to decide that at a time when corruption is such a big issue, will they like to tie up with the RJD," said JDU leader Sabir Ali.
While Lalu may be an old friend, the Congress is keeping all options open especially after the drubbing in four state polls. Certain Congress leaders feel that tying up with Lalu, a convicted MP, could hurt the party's image. So while Lalu Prasad may have made his intentions clear, the Congress isn't going to reveal its cards just yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment