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NEW DELHI: After the opposition parties’ meeting in Patna — hosted by Nitish Kumar — the Bengaluru brainstorming next week is significant for being a Congress show. It is being held in a state that has become fresh evidence of the party’s resilience against BJP, and where a Congress sweep in recent polls has infused optimism in the opposition camp.
Also, it is in the south where Congress has strong allies, like DMK, backing it.
Though the issue of leadership of the opposition bloc, a problematic subject, has not been broached openly, the lead anti-BJP party is seen to be surely raising its game in the stewardship stakes. The presence of Sonia Gandhi, who headed the last big initiative that knocked from the podium the Vajpayee-led BJP, lends a gravitas to the gathering, while handing Congress a profile that most others lack. Key opposition leaders coming to Bengaluru were part of UPA that formed the government in 2004 and have worked with Sonia.
Sonia will join Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal in deliberations that may focus on a joint programme and campaign launch for the bloc.
It would mark a visible shift from six months ago when Nitish Kumar and NCP’s Sharad Pawar were running the efforts to cobble a coalition to challenge BJP, with both pleading with Congress to take the lead. As Congress waited and watched, Kumar even accused the party of delaying the matters and risking the initiative.
The issue of leadership is unlikely to be a roadblock given the desperation of the parties fighting an increasingly hegemonistic BJP. But sooner or later, a coordinator or convenor may be required as a manager. It is then that parties would be tested. Till now, it has appeared smooth, with Congress’s decision on dates for the second meeting and the venue accepted by the parties, despite the initial confusion.
Also, it is in the south where Congress has strong allies, like DMK, backing it.
Though the issue of leadership of the opposition bloc, a problematic subject, has not been broached openly, the lead anti-BJP party is seen to be surely raising its game in the stewardship stakes. The presence of Sonia Gandhi, who headed the last big initiative that knocked from the podium the Vajpayee-led BJP, lends a gravitas to the gathering, while handing Congress a profile that most others lack. Key opposition leaders coming to Bengaluru were part of UPA that formed the government in 2004 and have worked with Sonia.
Sonia will join Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal in deliberations that may focus on a joint programme and campaign launch for the bloc.
It would mark a visible shift from six months ago when Nitish Kumar and NCP’s Sharad Pawar were running the efforts to cobble a coalition to challenge BJP, with both pleading with Congress to take the lead. As Congress waited and watched, Kumar even accused the party of delaying the matters and risking the initiative.
The issue of leadership is unlikely to be a roadblock given the desperation of the parties fighting an increasingly hegemonistic BJP. But sooner or later, a coordinator or convenor may be required as a manager. It is then that parties would be tested. Till now, it has appeared smooth, with Congress’s decision on dates for the second meeting and the venue accepted by the parties, despite the initial confusion.
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