The MahaGathbandhan: A Faded Desire in Indian Politics

Earlier, the formation of political coalitions in India largely depended on individual negotiators with varying demands, involving both posts and cash. Over time, however, this has transformed into bulk deals where numerous political factions are now represented. The influence of powerful money muscles, represented by 'dawoods,' has drastically changed the political landscape. In the future, these 'dawoods' might even form a collegium similar to the Supreme Court, operating behind the scenes. This raises significant questions about the integrity and purity of the democratic process.

Missed Update on Bihar Politics

One of the major updates in Bihar politics that many have missed is the dissolution of the MahaGathbandhan, a grand alliance aimed at challenging the BJP in the upcoming elections. When we talk about the MahaGathbandhan, this term was coined with the promise of a large-scale coalition to counter the ruling BJP. However, it has already become a mere memory before seeing any reality.

When there were initial plans for RJD to contest on 21 seats and the Indian National Congress (INC) on 11 seats, smaller factions like those led by former JDU heavyweights Sharad Yadav and Jitan Ram Manjhi were to play a significant role. These regional players wanted more representation and seats than what the Congress and RJD were willing to offer. A compromise had to be reached to ensure a united front. Initially, RJD agreed to contest on 19 seats and asked Congress to follow suit with 9 seats, which seemed like a fair agreement. However, as often happens, an impasse was reached when Congress leader Ahmed Patel showed some highhandedness, making the deal unviable. This led to Tejashwi Yadav, the de-facto leader of RJD, expressing his dissatisfaction on Twitter:

There may never happen another poll in 2019 if BJP wins.

Clearly, this is not the only instance where the MahaGathbandhan remains a mirage. Let's delve deeper into the political scenarios in other states.

Uttar Pradesh: The Jarring Series

The concept of the MahaGathbandhan first emerged as a viable alliance when both the Congress and SP-BSP were set to fight together. Within a year, this plan unravelled. Congress decided to fight the elections alone, making an alliance with SP and BSP a mere theory. This led to the formation of a new political party under the leadership of Shivpal Yadav, comprising a majority of former SP leaders.

Another set of BSP leaders, feeling disenfranchised, left the party to join Congress. This led to SP and BSP targeting Congress in rallies, while Congress is supporting other parties to field candidates in an attempt to split the opposing vote share. This scenario is not one of unity but of fractured alliances, showcasing the irony of the MahaGathbandhan.

Other States: The Collapse of Alliances

Similarly, in Haryana and Punjab, the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were to form an alliance, but this did not materialize. The AAP, formed on the back of accusations of corruption and anarchy, now found comfort in negotiations with Congress for mutual political benefits. Despite these efforts, the alliance did not come through, leaving both AAP and Congress in a state of embarrassment.

Moreover, in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) have also failed to form an alliance. Given the CPI(M)'s negligible political influence in the region, it is unlikely that this alliance materialized.

Ultimately, it appears that the MahaGathbandhan was a mere figment of desire and political imagination. Every potential alliance has failed to materialize, leaving only fragmented parties contesting the polls.

As we conclude, it is evident that the MahaGathbandhan remains a memory, a failed attempt to counter the BJP's juggernaut. In the end, the only viable option for Congress is to seek support from smaller parties like DMK, TDP, and JDS, but even this is unlikely to change the national electoral landscape significantly.

Note: My book 'Redemption of a Son' is available exclusively on Amazon.

Signing off,
Shilanjan