Opinion: The Unexpected Move by Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal’s Kharge

In a surprising turn of events, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal have played a strategic move that has left the political arena buzzing. Their decision to support Mallikarjun Kharge as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha has caught many off guard and raised eyebrows.

One cannot deny the shrewdness of this move by Banerjee and Kejriwal. By backing Kharge, they have not only showcased their ability to think outside the box but have also demonstrated their desire to bring about a significant change in the political landscape. This unexpected alliance between the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party has sent ripples through the corridors of power.

The choice of Kharge as the leader of the opposition is a clever one. Known for his strong political acumen and extensive experience, Kharge is a seasoned leader who can effectively challenge the ruling party. By uniting under his leadership, Banerjee and Kejriwal have signaled their intention to collaborate with other opposition parties and present a united front against the government.

This move by Banerjee and Kejriwal also underscores their commitment to regional politics. They have shown that they are willing to set aside ideological differences and work together for the greater good of their respective states. This is a refreshing change from the often divisive nature of Indian politics and highlights the importance of regional leaders in shaping national discourse.

Critics may argue that this is a short-term political ploy aimed at gaining attention and consolidating their own positions. However, it is important to recognize the potential long-term implications of this move. By challenging the status quo and embracing new alliances, Banerjee and Kejriwal have opened the doors for a more dynamic and inclusive political landscape.

In conclusion, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to support Mallikarjun Kharge as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha is a bold and unexpected move. It showcases their strategic thinking, commitment to regional politics, and desire for a more inclusive political landscape. While the true impact of this move remains to be seen, it is undoubtedly a significant development in Indian politics.

The fourth meeting of the 28-party INDIA alliance failed to produce a common vision document outlining their agenda to challenge the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 elections. The discussion about setting up a campaign secretariat and assigning a convener role also disappeared. Sunil Pintu, an MP of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United (JDU), described the meeting as a “tea-biscuit session” without the presence of samosas due to the Congress’ financial constraints. The Congress faced criticism from its allies over its state election losses and its refusal to accommodate seat requests in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress, and Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), surprised the alliance by proposing their party’s president, Mallikarjun Kharge, as the acceptable “Dalit prime ministerial face”. This suggestion caught Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi off guard. However, the Trinamool Congress and AAP are cautious about the Congress’ demand for seats in their respective territories. The Trinamool Congress is willing to reserve two seats for the Congress in West Bengal, but they expect one seat each in Assam and Meghalaya. The Kharge proposal by Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal can be seen as a strategic move.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on December 21 avoided discussing the Kharge proposal. Kharge redirected the focus onto Rahul Gandhi by emphasizing the party’s “fervent appeal” for a Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0. The feasibility and timing of this yatra were met with skepticism within the CWC. It remains to be seen how the INDIA alliance parties will respond, as they seem less enthusiastic about Rahul’s leadership abilities.

Nationwide seat-sharing, a crucial aspect of the alliance, has been delayed until mid-January, despite Mamata Banerjee preferring to finalize it by the end of the year. The Congress prioritized state elections over seat-sharing and faced criticism from its allies. The recent CWC meeting overshadowed the December 19 conclave, with blame being assigned for the party’s defeat. Kharge, despite being considered for the prime ministerial face, humbly declined the role. This incident underscored the unacceptability of Rahul Gandhi in alliance politics.

Mamata Banerjee also suggested that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should be the common candidate against Narendra Modi in Varanasi for the 2024 elections. However, it remains unclear why she herself does not consider contesting from Varanasi.

While criticizing the Congress and rejecting the CPI (M), Mamata Banerjee also faces a rebellion within her own party from those who view her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, as the leader of Bengal’s next generation. Abhishek wants several current MPs to be dropped.

The strained relationship between the Congress and its regional partners is evident, as seen in Mamata Banerjee’s comments about Rahul Gandhi. During the meeting, Samajwadi Party leaders questioned whether the Congress was in talks with their rival, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), in Uttar Pradesh. Despite reservations from Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav emphasized his PDA (Pichhda-Dalit alliance) formula, aimed against the BSP. Mayawati, the leader of the BSP, has not participated in the INDIA talks.

The Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, has expressed skepticism about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), despite winning in some states. An attempt to pass a unanimous resolution sharing this skepticism did not gain traction. Many alliance leaders felt that the resolution should only demand that the VVPAT slip be handed to the voter for verification before being placed in a ballot box. This option prevailed over the Congress’ outright rejection of EVMs.

Nitish Kumar, possibly disappointed by Kharge’s preference over him, became upset when DMK leaders demanded an English translation of his Hindi speech. Nitish Kumar endorsed renaming the country as Bharat, which sparked controversy among alliance partners, particularly the Congress and DMK. The North-South divide resurfaced as a sore point during the alliance talks.

Some observers speculate that Mamata Banerjee’s support for Kharge is a strategic move, similar to how Devi Lal was used by VP Singh in 1989. They wonder if Mamata Banerjee is positioning herself as a potential alternative if the BJP fails to secure a majority in the 2024 elections. However, there are concerns among Nitish Kumar’s supporters that he may face a similar fate as Chandra Shekhar in 2024.

The enthusiasm and camaraderie that characterized previous INDIA meetings were absent on December 19. Many leaders skipped the post-meeting press interaction, citing the need to catch flights, despite traveling on special aircraft instead of scheduled commercial airlines.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.,

The recent alliance between Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal has taken the political landscape in India by surprise. The move is seen as a strategic googly, a cricket term for an unexpected delivery, thrown by veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, have been known for their strong regional presence and opposition to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, their decision to join forces and campaign together for the upcoming 2024 general elections has caught many off guard.

The alliance aims to present a united front against the dominant BJP, which has been steadily expanding its influence across the country. Both Banerjee and Kejriwal have been vocal critics of the BJP’s policies and have successfully contested against the party in their respective states.

The move is expected to consolidate the anti-BJP sentiment and provide a formidable challenge to the ruling party. The alliance also reflects the growing need for opposition parties to come together and pool their resources to counter the BJP’s political machinery.

However, the success of this alliance remains uncertain. While Banerjee and Kejriwal have their loyal voter bases, they will need to overcome ideological and regional differences to present a united front. Additionally, the alliance faces the challenge of coordinating their campaigns across multiple states.

Nevertheless, the Mamata Banerjee-Arvind Kejriwal alliance has injected a new element of unpredictability into Indian politics. It remains to be seen how this unexpected googly will play out in the upcoming elections and shape the country’s political landscape.