HVK Archives: Battlelines drawn
Battlelines drawn - The Times of India
Editorial
()
30 May 1997
Title : Battlelines drawn
Author : Editorial
Publication : The Times of India
Date : May 30, 1997
Though Mr Sharad Pawar has somewhat unexpectedly challenged Mr Sitaram
Kesri's incumbency by deciding to run for Congress president, it is
anybody's guess if he will actually stay on and fight. Indeed, so often
has Mr Pawar backtracked under pressure that to this day he remains
something of a "permanent challenger." In other words, Mr Kesri is
unlikely to have to worry overmuch about the new twist unless it shows
definite signs of turning serious. If Mr Pawar's ,severe' differences
with Rajiv Gandhi never did reach the point of no return, the much hyped
up 1991 contest between him and Mr Narasimha Rao was equally a damp
squib, with Mr Pawar only too easily allowing himself to be persuaded to
quit the field. Mr Pawar similarly compromised with Mr Kesri, first at
the time of the latter's election as CPP leader and then in the interim
after Mr Deve Gowda's fall when he had looked all set to upstage the
Congress chief. While the first was arguably a strategic retreat, a
deal struck with Mr Kesri for the post of parliamentary party leader in
the Lok Sabha, the second seemed to be a case of nerves. Little wonder,
then, that Mr Rajesh Pilot, the only other contender for the top post
today, wouldn't withdraw to facilitate a one-to-one contest between Mr
Pawar and Mr Kesri. And yet, whatever Mr Pawar's motives, his bid must
be welcomed for it is a sign that Congressmen are slowly shedding their
inhibitions about fighting party elections. Even for Mr Kesri, it is
best that this happened, especially considering the support he has built
up among a major section of partymen as well as Congress chief
ministers. Few will dare question his authority, once he has proved his
popularity in an open election.
Meanwhile, it is the battle of the Yadavs in the Janata Dal, with
one-time allies Laloo Prasad Yadav and Sharad Yadav pitted in a straight
contest. In normal circumstances, there would have been no disputing
the former's advantage and, indeed, even today Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav is
easily the only JD leader with anything like a mass base. Nevertheless,
things must have changed for Mr Sharad Yadav actually to risk an
electoral encounter with his evidently more popular colleague. One
obvious reason for Mr Sharad Yadav's confidence is, of course, Mr Laloo
Yadav's arraignment in the fodder case. Mr Sharad Yadav might be
calculating that he could gain from his partymen's predicament, with
them officially committed to fighting corruption. The second reason
appears to have to do with Mr Sharad Yadav's brief stint as working
president, courtesy of which he has gained a higher profile and expanded
on his network of friends. Mr Sharad Yadav must also know that he can
count on Mr Laloo Yadav's ever growing list of detractors, as is already
evident from the tacit backing he has received from former Prime
Minister Deve Gowda. On the other hand, Mr Laloo Yadav is not one to
give up easily, more so knowing that if he conceded ground on the
presidentship, he would become that much more vulnerable at home. Which
is why Samson-like, he seems determined to drag down the empire with him
: If he goes, so will the JD and so will the government. Whichever
Yadav wins, then, the JD and the government seem to be heading for a
spell of rough weather. Unless, Mr Sharad Yadav's candidature is an
elaborate red herring in an ingenious gameplan which is yet to revealed.
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