Alliance agreements secured with 2 key allies, yet Congress's challenges persist

PTC News Desk: In a bid to strengthen its position ahead of the upcoming general elections, the Congress party has successfully secured alliances with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). However, despite this achievement, the party still faces significant challenges, particularly in states like Bengal and Maharashtra, where seat-sharing arrangements are yet to be finalized.

Bengal: Uphill battle with Trinamool Congress

The Congress's efforts to negotiate with the Trinamool Congress in Bengal have hit a roadblock. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Bengal and leader of the Trinamool, had previously indicated her party's inclination to contest the elections independently after discussions with the Congress failed to yield favorable seat-sharing terms. While the state Congress unit, under the leadership of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, aimed for around 10 seats, the Trinamool offered only two.

Tensions escalated when Chowdhury criticised Banerjee, labeling her as "opportunist." Banerjee retaliated by stating that all proposals from the Congress had been rejected and announced the Trinamool's decision to go solo in the elections. Despite Rahul Gandhi's attempt to downplay Chowdhury's remarks, the deadlock persists.

Chowdhury has claimed that internal divisions within the Trinamool, particularly regarding the potential impact of an alliance with the Congress on minority votes and concerns about potential reprisals from the Modi government, have complicated the decision-making process. Consequently, Banerjee's absence from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi further strained the opposition's unity against the BJP's onslaught.

In the event of a last-minute understanding, both parties will face the daunting task of devising a cohesive campaign strategy and appealing to voters effectively.

Maharashtra: Negotiations in progress

Similar challenges confront the Congress in Maharashtra, where discussions regarding seat-sharing with key allies are ongoing. The party is engaged in delicate negotiations with regional players like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena to finalize alliance terms.

Despite the urgency imposed by the impending elections, the intricate nature of coalition politics necessitates careful deliberation to ensure equitable distribution of seats and the preservation of individual party interests.

Outlook: Uphill battle ahead

As the clock ticks down to the general elections, the Congress finds itself embroiled in complex negotiations and internal discord. While alliances with the SP and AAP bolster its electoral prospects to some extent, unresolved issues in crucial states like Bengal and Maharashtra threaten to undermine its cohesion and effectiveness as the principal opposition force.

Navigating the intricate dynamics of coalition politics while countering the BJP's formidable election machinery presents a formidable challenge for the Congress leadership. The road ahead is fraught with uncertainties, requiring deft maneuvering and strategic alliances to mount a credible challenge to the ruling party's dominance.

What's happening in Maharashtra?

In Maharashtra, the INDIA bloc is yet to unveil its seat-sharing arrangement. Talks between the Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (under Balasaheb Uddhav Thackeray), and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP, are reaching their conclusion.

Rahul Gandhi, a key figure in the Congress, reportedly engaged in discussions with Mr. Thackeray to resolve a deadlock. The Congress aims to contest three out of Mumbai's six Lok Sabha seats - namely, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North Central, and Mumbai North West. Conversely, Mr. Thackeray purportedly seeks to contest 18 Lok Sabha seats in the state, including four in Mumbai: Mumbai South, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East, and Mumbai South Central. The two leaders deliberated for an hour in search of a breakthrough.

Moreover, the Congress has faced setbacks in Maharashtra due to the departures of three senior leaders -- Milind Deora, Ashok Chavan, and Baba Siddique.

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State Congress chief Nana Patole has emphasized the unity within the alliance and expressed confidence in the MVA's performance in the forthcoming polls. He stated, "There are no disagreements or disputes on the issue of seat sharing among the MVA allies. It is the ruling Mahayuti which is in turmoil due to lack of coordination. The people of Maharashtra will show BJP and its allies their place in the coming elections."

A significant challenge confronting the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra is the split within the two main parties, Shiv Sena and NCP, resulting in their leaders, Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, losing the party name and symbol. It will be crucial to raise awareness among voters, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas, regarding their new name and symbol to ensure clarity during the voting process.

Once the seat-sharing agreement is finalized, the three parties must commence joint campaigning to effectively counter the BJP. With the polls looming just months away, they face a pressing deadline.

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What's been settled

After months of political maneuvering and tough negotiations, the Congress has successfully reached seat-sharing agreements with two significant forces within the INDIA coalition - the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has secured 17 out of 80 seats, while conceding one seat in Madhya Pradesh to the Akhilesh Yadav-led party. Meanwhile, with the AAP, the Congress has finalized seat allocations for Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Goa. Notably, the two parties have opted to contest independently in Punjab, where they stand as staunch rivals.

AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has emphasised the absence of animosity between the allies regarding the Punjab arrangement. In Delhi, the Congress will vie for three out of seven seats, while the AAP will contest two out of 26 seats in Gujarat. In Haryana, the Congress and AAP will vie for 8 and one seat, respectively. Furthermore, the Chandigarh seat and two seats in Goa have been allocated to the Congress under the agreement.

However, a significant challenge in these constituencies will be striking a balance between the sentiments of grassroots leaders and the overarching objective of challenging the BJP. For instance, AAP securing the Bharuch seat, a stronghold of Congress veteran, the late Ahmed Patel, has elicited strong reactions. Congress leaders, including Mr. Patel's son Faisal Ahmed Patel, have expressed discontent, emphasizing that the party should have retained the seat based solely on winnability. While the AAP has signaled its willingness to collaborate with the Congress to devise a strategy for this crucial seat, reaching a consensus may prove challenging.

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(Inputs from agencies)