This refers to “Three Karnataka lessons for national politics” (May 16). Shekhar Gupta’s analysis is completely right. I completely agree with him that if 2019 becomes Narendra Modi versus any one propped up by a united Opposition, it will be a cakewalk for Modi as there is no other leader in any party who can match his charisma or stature. While Congress President Rahul Gandhi recently said he is ready to become Prime Minister, after four days his party surrendered to Janata Dal (Secular) and agreed to let the latter choose the chief minister despite having 41 more seats. Will he and his party again let regional parties take the bigger chunk in seat sharing in 2019? If that happens, he will have to swallow a lot of his pride. And if that does not happen and it becomes a three-way election, it is advantage Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) again.
As Trinamool Congress Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has put it, had the Congress and the JD(S) done a pre-poll alliance, they would have easily got a majority of the seats. As it was seen in two Uttar Pradesh by-polls if the Opposition can consolidate, then it can pose a serious threat to the ruling BJP. I am sure if the Congress and JD(S) come to power in Karnataka then it will not only bring JD(S) back to the national political scenario but an altogether new re-alignment will happen as far as the Opposition is concerned. Their desperation is clearly visible as leaders from Kashmir and West Bengal have sprung into action post the election results. Last but not the least, we need to really introspect whether the kind of precedence being set for grabbing power is ethically right. Yes, if Goa and Manipur is the yardstick then the JD(S)-Congress combine should get the first opportunity to prove their majority and be in power, but such a thing is nothing but dangerous.
Bal Govind, Noida
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