BJP is perhaps the reason behind the two major proclamations in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The clashes in SP and the rise of Deepa Jayakumar can be more or less attributed to BJP.
Deepa’s big day out and her announcement about entering politics has raised several questions. Primarily which political party is backing her and if center is involved in her actions. BJP would need the support of AIADMK MPs to setup its candidate in Presidential elections. However, Sasikala is marching towards the Congress, seeking help of senior SC counsel Kapil Sibal to get a clean chit in DA case.
In the meantime, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s declaration of an alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh sent shock waves to BJP. The saffron party was ambitious of UP elections after clash between Akhilesh and Mulayam. In fact, SP senior leaders were suspecting that this scuffle was plotted by BJP.
However, Akhilesh’s unprecedented win of the cycle symbol against his father and now the alliance with congress definitely hit BJP hard. The SP president can now easily blame Shivpal and others for anti-incumbency and can start off clean slate.
This SP-Congress coalition should concern BJP, especially with congress being backed by Muslim voters. Similar coalition in Bihar during the heat of the election campaign led to a consolidation of Muslim votes in favor of Lalu-Nitish.
Without any CM face for election, BJP is conducting its campaign in UP. BJP hauling Rajnath Singh is the only option, however, the home minister expressed disinterest.
The saffron party moves are mystifying. If they need AIADMK’s support a justification is needed about the income tax raids on the TN Chief Secretary. Are they planning to move Deepa into AIADMK the way Amar Singh was moved into SP?
It may be recalled that SP leaders intuited that BJP is indicted of plotting his re-admission into SP, as his entry into BJP party would be of no use. Deepa’s statement had left everyone fathoming if she had been propped up by BJP on similar lines. The center needs AIADMK to be united especially for the Presidential and Vice Presidential elections. Deepa into BJP is worthless as the saffron party is inconsequential in the TN but helping her move into AIADMK would certainly benefit the center.
However, February is the deciding month for both TN and UP. It will be clear if Deepa was acting on behalf of BJP or DMK. The UP elections will display if the charisma of Modi is still intact or his party needs more work to repeat his triumph in next Lok Sabha elections.
