NDA meet gets bigger with North East, Kerala allies
NEW DELHI: In an apparent show of its wider reach, the ruling establishment is planning a mega gathering of allies, including from Kerala and Nagaland, on Monday under the umbrella of NDA ahead of polls to the post of president in a few months.
“The leaders from parties from different parts would not only signify our gaining strength and influence but also express BJP’s willingness to work with allies,” confided a BJP leader about the NDA meet tomorrow. Though the meeting comes at the end of the Budget session of Parliament, it holds significance given the impending presidential elections.
BJP recently diffused a crisis with Shiv Sena, which was upset after flight ban against one of its MPs. Though the BJP has a majority, it had accommodated its allies – Shiv Sena, TDP, Akali Dali, LJP, RLSP, Apna Dal as well as RPI – in government.
It has subsequently widened its umbrella with an eye on state specific politics. The party has been particularly stitching local alliances in south and northeast India as it rides on the popularity of Narendra Modi to deepen BJP’s popularity in these regions.
BJP president Amit Shah, too, has focussed on alliances to expand NDA ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Shah has also reportedly invited Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for the NDA dinner tomorrow. However, it is not clear if Thackeray has agreed to attend. The exercise is apparently also aimed at building a consensus on the next President candidate. BJP led NDA is short of 25,000 votes despite the massive victory in UP. It will need Sena support and wants other NDA partners on board.
“The leaders from parties from different parts would not only signify our gaining strength and influence but also express BJP’s willingness to work with allies,” confided a BJP leader about the NDA meet tomorrow. Though the meeting comes at the end of the Budget session of Parliament, it holds significance given the impending presidential elections.
BJP recently diffused a crisis with Shiv Sena, which was upset after flight ban against one of its MPs. Though the BJP has a majority, it had accommodated its allies – Shiv Sena, TDP, Akali Dali, LJP, RLSP, Apna Dal as well as RPI – in government.
It has subsequently widened its umbrella with an eye on state specific politics. The party has been particularly stitching local alliances in south and northeast India as it rides on the popularity of Narendra Modi to deepen BJP’s popularity in these regions.
BJP president Amit Shah, too, has focussed on alliances to expand NDA ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Shah has also reportedly invited Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for the NDA dinner tomorrow. However, it is not clear if Thackeray has agreed to attend. The exercise is apparently also aimed at building a consensus on the next President candidate. BJP led NDA is short of 25,000 votes despite the massive victory in UP. It will need Sena support and wants other NDA partners on board.
