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The final details of the dramatic BJP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh
were worked out in close secrecy in New Delhi on Tuesday night
between the top leaders of the two parties. The first serious
contacts between the two parties began after the Punjab polls, when
a process of "re-thinking" began within the BSP fold in view of the
electoral success of the Akali-BJP alliance.
Subsequently, talks were conducted at various levels in Delhi and
Lucknow. On Tuesday, a dinner meeting was held to clinch the
alliance. Once BSP supremo Kanshi Ram gave his "stamp of approval",
along with a written guarantee that he would ensure that the BJP's
nominee takes over as Chief Minister after six months, the last
hurdles were removed.
The alliance formula that has been worked out marks a novel
experiment in coalition politics. The agreement to rotate the post
of Chief Minister between the two parties appears to be a practical
compromise which could lead to similar arrangements in coalition
government in the, future, both in other states as well as at the
Centre.
The fact that Mayawati has been given the first stint of six months
as Chief Minister indicates that Kalyan Singh was persuaded to bide
his time in the larger interest of the BJP. One of the main
reasons why the two parties were unable to strike an alliance
immediately after the Assembly elections last year, was that Kalyan
Singh had taken an adamant stand against allowing Mayawati to
become the CM.
It took the "written guarantee" from Kanshi Rain that Mayawati
would step down in September this year and make way for Kalyan, for
the latter to shed his adamant posture.
The key ingredients of the formula worked out between the two
parties include:
1. Both the parties will have equal representation in the ministry.
2. The Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly will be from the BJP.
3. The working of the coalition experiment will be monitored by a
panel consisting of Atal Behari Vajpayee, L.K.Advani and Kanshi
Ram.
4. The novel idea of rotating the Chief Ministership will - be
reviewed after a year, by which time both Mayawati and Kalyan Singh
would have had six months each as Chief Minister.
It was made clear in the joint press conference addressed by Advani
and Kanshi Ram that although the new alliance was limited to Uttar
Pradesh, both the parties would seek close contacts in other states
as far as possible. The BJP and BSP will also strive to reach a
consensus on national issues.
Restoration of the law and order situation in the state has been
projected as the most urgent priority. However, along with rooting
out crime and violence, the coalition will make special efforts to
rebuild the shattered economy of the state. It has been
categorically stated that "all available funds will be used for
development activity".
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