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The Bharatiya Janata Party, despite its brave front, must be aware of losing
control. Not just over a section of its constituency but also its regional
allies. Not a very happy situation. The BJP is facing quiet but tough opposition
from Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral in its citadel, namely Delhi. Mr Gujral,
being middle class and Punjabi has suddenly acquired a constituency amongst the
Delhiwallahs who are delighted to have one of their own in the top job. The
visitors lining up to meet the Prime Minister reflect this sentiment, particularly
as they were earlier quite happy to vote for the BJP. Mr Gujral, aware of his
potential to cut into the BJP base in the capital, has started taking an interest
in Delhi affairs. For instance, he has personally intervened to ensure the
release of more fuel by the petroleum ministry to the NTPC units in Delhi so that
these can generate power to their optimum capacity. The result can be a summer
relatively free of power cuts. Not a mean achievement for residents of Delhi who
were getting ready to face the usual spell of hot summer without electricity. In
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the two allies are giving the BJP sufficient cause for
worry. The Akali Dal keeps making statements in favour of the United Front, much
to the discomfiture of the BJP which is keen to give the impression that the
alliance is unbreakable. The Akali Dal welcomed Prime Minister Gujral's visit to
Punjab. Its members have spoken for the United Front government during debates in
Parliament. And, perhaps, most serious of all from the BJP point of view, the
Akali Dal has endorsed the controversial Anandpur Sahib resolution at a formal
meeting after taking over the reins of power. During the campaign both parties
had decided to keep away from the controversial issues, but aware of its
constituency and long-term objectives, the Akali Dal lost little time in openly
pledging its support to the provisions of the Anandpur Sahib resolution. The
alliance, even if it survives the test of time, and by time these days one only
talks in terms of weeks and months, will work to the disadvantage of the BJP. The
Akali Dal as the much larger party is busy consolidating its votebank, with the
BJP being put on the defensive by its every move insofar as its own votebank is
concerned. The Akali Dal has put the BJP more on the defensive in Punjab by
opening a line to the United Front.
In Uttar Pradesh too, the BJP is finding Ms Mayawati and the Bahujan Samaj Party
quite a handful. Desperate to keep the alliance going till at least the next
general elections, the BJP leadership is consciously swallowing every insult and
injury inflicted by Ms Mayawati. Ms Mayawati has decided to move ahead with her
own agenda, with scant regard or respect for the BJP. In fact BJP leaders are now
heard saying that they are quite willing to continue supporting Ms Mayawati even
if she does not relinquish the chief minister's seat at the end of six months, as
per the initial agreement. Anything to come into power, particularly as the BJP
top brass has realised that it cannot improve its position in the state without
the dalit vote. The BSP, being a proven gambler, has a decided edge over the BJP
as it looks upon a continued alliance with the same degree of equanimity with
which lit regards an early election or an alliance with the United Front. If the
alliance in these two states breaks, the BJP can forget its dream of acquiring
power in the next general elections. A Shiv Sena-dominated Maharashtra and a
faction-ridden Gujarat cannot compensate for losses in North India.
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