Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election: Has BJP upset its oldest ally SAD or is it appeasing JD(U)?

The election for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman is set take place on Thursday, and there is palpable tension in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. BJP has decided to back the candidature of JD(U)’s Harivansh Singh over SAD’s Naresh Gujral, whose name was also in contention. The Akali Dal leaders are scheduled to have a meeting Tuesday to discuss the matter.

ThePrint asks- Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election: Has BJP upset its oldest ally SAD or is it appeasing JD(U)?

The Akali Dal leadership is perfectly in sync with the BJP

Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
Rajya Sabha MP, BJP

There is not an iota of doubt that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is going to win hands down in the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman elections. The entire NDA, all the parties included, is on board with us. Even the Akali leadership is perfectly in sync with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

These are just rumours about allies being upset. How would I know why they are being spread? You must find that out. There is nothing of the sort, no problems between the parties.

I rubbish allegations of appeasement. The election of deputy chairman is a democratic process. Our candidate has merit, and everyone recognizes that. People have confidence in Harivansh Narayan Singh of Janata Dal (United), he’s a veteran.

Also read: Has BJP’s big brother attitude damaged NDA beyond repair?

JD(U) and SAD are the only two allies left in any case. Shiv Sena takes its own decision now

K C Tyagi
Spokesperson, JD(U) and Rajya Sabha MP

In the National Democratic Alliance, BJP is the largest party. They have backed JD(U)’s Harivansh Narayan Singh. They fully support his candidature. He is a very senior journalist, and has experience in politics.

We have to remember, in an alliance, the say of the largest party holds weight. It’s not as if the Akali Dal, or the JD(U) take such decisions by themselves. It is common practice in politics that multiple people will want the same post. Naresh Gujral is a very senior Akali leader. It is only obvious that he would want the post of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha.

The Akalis have not yet made a decisive statement on the issue. Perhaps we would have felt bad too if they had chosen an Akali leader. But one has to agree with the decision of the alliance.

JD(U) and SAD are the only two allies left in any case. Shiv Sena takes its own decision now.

Our parties have been very friendly throughout. As a matter of fact, Nitish Kumar and Prakash Singh Badal have great respect and mutual affection for each other. From our end, there is no issue and we hope that there isn’t one from theirs either.

The BJP-SAD differences shows the emerging contradictions in the management of NDA coalition

Dr Sandeep Shastri
Pro Vice Chancellor, JAIN – A Deemed to be University

Four years into power and as it approaches the next elections, the BJP is finally facing the heat caused by its allies. The NDA allies are flexing their muscles and asserting their presence. The protest by the Akali Dal on being overlooked by the BJP while finalising the nominee for the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in favour of the JD(U), is a clear instance of the emerging contradictions in being able to manage its coalition.

In 2014, given the majority it achieved on its own, the BJP was in a position to assert its position within the NDA and call the shots on the number of positions to be allotted to each ally and the portfolios of its ministers. While there were a few murmurs especially from the Shiv Sena, the allies of the BJP within the NDA grudgingly accepted what was offered to them. While waiting for the opportune moment to express their unhappiness, each ally has chosen an appropriate moment to register their unhappiness.

The TDP walked out of the coalition on the special package issue and the Shiv Sena boycotted the no confidence vote. More recently, the LJP has been making noises on the government stand on the Dalit issue and the Akail Dal has now decided to express its disquiet on being sidelined. As one gets closer to the Lok Sabha polls, one is likely to see more frequent expression of dissent by the NDA allies of the BJP. The BJP is increasingly realizing that it would need to keep its NDA flock together in preparation for the next year’s national poll and even add more parties to the fold. In this situation, its allies within the NDA see the opportunity to assert their presence and seek a greater say within the alliance. Such forms of protest are only likely to be seen more frequently in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls

Compiled by Deeksha Bhardwaj, journalist at ThePrint. You can reach her @deekbhardwaj on Twitter.