New Delhi, Nov 13 (DHNS):The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a key constituent of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), has suggested forging a grand tie-up to counter Bharatiya Janata Party ‘s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The NCP’s suggestion is seen as a virtual expression of no-confidence in the ability of the Congress to take on an upbeat BJP.
The NCP, a Congress ally of 14 years and led by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, had also attended a recent 14-party convention organised by Left parties against communal forces.
The issue of a grand alliance may gather steam after the results of the elections to five assemblies are declared and if the Congress fares poorly, as predicted by numerous opinion polls and surveys.
Union minister and NCP co-founder Tariq Anwar said a grand alliance of secular parties was the need of the hour in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which together send 120 members to the Lok Sabha.
The Congress had done reasonably well in Uttar Pradesh in the 2009 Parliamentary election, but has poor presence in Bihar.
The BJP is upbeat and confident of beating the UPA in the elections given the strong anti-incumbency sentiments across the country against the Congress. Without naming the Congress, Anwar said those talking of checking communal forces should concentrate on Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the BJP stakes are high.
However, the Congress is weak when it comes to the presence of its cadre in the two states.
The NCP attended the October 30 anti-communal convention raising eyebrows within the Congress. But the Congress had refrained from making any comments on its ally.
Privately, Congress leaders admit that the convergence of anti-communal forces only strengthens its case against Modi.
Currently, the Congress is the single largest party in the UPA with 206 members. The next largest constituent is the NCP with nine members.
The other allies of the Congress are the National Conference, Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Indian Union Muslim League.
The UPA is in a minority in the Lok Sabha and relies on the support of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the DMK.