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Saturday, May 16, 2009
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Battle-weary parties await election results

New Delhi Bureau

Media speculation on deals denied

No question of going to the BJP: Paswan
BSP denies it is in touch with UPA or NDA

NEW DELHI: Uncertain and unsure, political leaders were keeping their fingers crossed as the nation braced for the counting of votes, polled in the 15th Lok Sabha election on Saturday. Irrespective of public posturing based on exit polls, senior Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were realistic enough to confess in private that claims and counter claims could be settled only once the “numbers” became known.

The only substantive development on Friday was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s declaration in Patna that he would extend support to a government in exchange for “special status for Bihar.”

Both in the BJP and the Congress, leaders jumped to see advantage for their own parties in that statement. The BJP promptly distributed statements made by its prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani in Buxar during his Bihar campaign that “promised” special status for the State if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were to form the government.

While some Congress leaders interpreted Mr. Kumar’s declaration as a possible “offer” of support to the United Progressive Alliance, party spokesman Kapil Sibal maintained that huge allocations to Bihar had been made under the Backward Regions Grant Fund by this dispensation.

Otherwise it was a day of denial of speculation in the media with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat suggesting that the media deserved an “Oscar” for “creative reporting.” In particular, the Congress denied reports of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee discussing portfolios with Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh.

And, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) denied reports of its being in touch with the UPA and the NDA. In a statement, the party described reports suggesting a bid by the BSP to strike a deal with either alliance as “mischievous” and “unfounded.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s key aide, Satish Mishra, met CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and is said to have confirmed the BSP’s participation in the meeting of the Third Front on May 18.

Though the Congress’ official line is that it would begin scouting for allies outside its existing partnerships only after the results, point persons have been identified for tapping prospective new partners should the need arise – Commerce Minister Kamal Nath is in touch with old friend and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Rajya Sabha member Dasari Narayana Rao and the Praja Rajyam Party.

Meanwhile, leaders of two NDA constituents – Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) and Ajit Singh of the Rashtriya Lok Dal – met Lok Jan Shakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan who quickly sought to scotch speculation of a possible shift to the BJP-led camp. “There is no question of going to the BJP,” Mr. Paswan said.

The BJP senior leadership met at Mr. Advani’s residence. The meeting was privately described as an exercise in “confidence boosting.” While some BJP leaders in the fray such as Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi have left for their constituencies to be present during counting, Mr. Advani — who met allies Om Prakash Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal and Ajit Singh during the day — has decided to stay put in the capital. The BJP’s Parliamentary Board will meet on Saturday evening.

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