It has rightly been pointed out that politics is the art of possibility, more especially in India where changing parties, forsaking ideologies (for show only) and rebellious activities are rampant. And this is what has happened in India’s most populous states, i.e. Uttar Pradesh, where Kalyan Singh, much to the surprise and chagrin of many, has joined Mulayam Singh Yadav’s camp though both of them, all these years, have been bitter adversaries. This is a surprise in the sense that in politics there are no permanent friends or foes. It is the opportunity that counts. Well, while it gives rise to new political calculations on the eve of coming Lok Sabha polls, it is creating a sense of uneasiness in the Congress camp.
But perhaps Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav does not care about the deep resentment within his own ranks and file against his new found bonhomie rebel BJP leader Kalyan Singh with whom he termed his relationship as a "bond of friendship." But which way this friendship will turn or where it will end up, only time will tell. This is not the first time that Yadav and Singh are joining hands. In 2003, they had joined hands to oust Chief Minister Mayawati. The Congress had then supported the Mulayam Singh government that came to power. “But now we have to think beyond UP,” said a Congress leader.
Meanwhile, the SP chief discarded the possibility of any electoral pact or a political arrangement, but a bond of friendship between them will come out with some concrete results. The biggest fear of "kalyan deal" for Mulayam is the alienation of Muslims with the party. In fact, by this tie up Mulayam is aiming to "this relationship would only strengthen our party by adding on the support of a large chunk of the oppressed and deprived classes." Whether coming of Kalyan to SP camp would affect BJP in the coming polls as his vote bank would probably switch over to the SP, if Kalyan decides to contest elections on its ticket. Surely, BJP has received a jolt since Kalyan seems little apologetic for his acts in 1992 when the Babri mosque was brought down. At the outset, Kalyan has made it clear that his mission is to weaken the BJP because it represents only communal forces.
But it took so long to Kalyan to realize this? And just because he is losing his firm footing in the BJP hierarchy, he left it for another pasture. Like Uma Bharti, Kalyan has a history of defections: he had left the BJP in 1999 but returned before the Lok Sabha polls 2004. Now this is the second time Kalyan deserted the BJP citing neglect and humiliation in the party. On the other hand, Mulayam Singh claimed that his proximity with Kalyan would not affect the on-going talks with the Congress for seat sharing in the coming elections. The Congress’ dilemma is palpable at the SP’s unilateral announcement of Lok Sabha candidates’ list and Kalyan Singh’s resignation from the BJP. The ruling BSP termed the SP's tie-up with Kalyan Singh as "an eye-opener for Muslims of the country".
In the changing political scenario in UP since the Mulayam-Kalyan tie up, the outcome of coming polls would be no less than interesting. While the BJP would certainly lose some votes, SP, too, would perhaps face the heat at this unexpected alliance.
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