Opposition ‘alliance’ under BJY banner a temporary euphoria…!

Will Cong translate ‘new found unity’ into anti BJP consolidation force …..?

Jammu: In what it looks like BJP versus other political parties, a political momentum is seen in the UT of J&K with a sizable number of organisations extending support for Bharat Jodo Yatra, besides NC and PDP. Will this ‘new found unity’ of opposition translate into consolidation as anti BJP ‘alliance’ and continue beyond the yatra remains a significant moot point as many are looking at it as only temporary ‘euphoria’
After receiving good response in Jammu all eyes are on now on Kashmir where a grand finale is awaiting Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra on January 30. More than the Congress, it is the leaders of other parties in UT who are excited to share the stage together with Rahul Gandhi under the banner, though BJP has sharpened its attacks on the Congress calling it B team of Gupkar Alliance. BJP’s attack is directed at Congress terming the party leaders as soft separatists for what it says the party leadership garnering support from those who are utterly pursuing anti India and divisive agenda, contrary to the objectives of the yatra.
Ironically BJP is not questioning parties aligning with Congress under the banner of BJY, instead it is lashing out at Congress alone with a twist of soft separatism and B team of Gupkar Alliance. While some observers look at it as BJP somewhere feeling unnerved at opposition coming together, for many the possibility of Congress as becoming a uniting force beyond BJY looks like a remote possibility, given the fact their ideologies and agendas are diverse.
As for jubilation of Congress, it goes without saying the success of yatra or its outcome on the basis of support it garnered cannot be judged on the quick applause and acclaim from other political parties. It must not forget most of them are either too small or no forces which count politically and as for NC and PDP, the two major regional parties they are showing up such gestures out of their own expediency.
The political soil on ground which was fertile in the past has sunk considerably for both the parties and they are on crutches. So their support of yatra should not be seen by Congress as endorsement of the purpose for which it was launched, instead an effort to consolidate as anti BJP force in the UT.
So this is nothing but an incoherent and temporary engagement which will soon tear into complacency and oblivion once yatra gets over. In other words yatra euphoria can neither facilitate nor promote prospects of unity of the opposition, at least in J&K where scenario has changed in terms of combinations. Pertinently, Apni Party and Peoples Conference, the two emerging players have chosen to keep distance from support show for obvious reasons of ‘distinct’ identity and unnecessary ‘positions’ today which may disturb their political configurations tomorrow.

Updated On 1/28/2023 12:46:48 AM