Trinamul rethink on NDA alliance

KOLKATA: The Trinamul Congress should also reassess its position vis-a-vis the BJP and NDA, feel a section of top Trinamul leadership.
The BJP has realised that it is losing its middle-class support base. As a result, it has taken up the hardline Hindutva card. Elevation of L.K. Advani to the post of deputy PM and deployment of party’s hardline elements in different states are a pointer to this image makeover by the party.
“If the BJP is trying to ne-gate its secular image, we should also ask the BJP to specify whether their assessment of the Trinamul is also under review,� said a party general secretary.If the major partner of the NDA is reinforcing its hardline, then it is time for Trinamul to rethink about its political equations, the general secretary said. “It is unfortunate the party is not thinking along these lines,� he lamented.
The question of rethink of Trinamul’s political line has become more urgent in view of NDA convener George Fernandes brushing aside the question of a review committee to look into railway bifurcation. A section of Trinamul leaders feel that the party should adopt a line of going it alone, especially till the panchayat elections.
In view of the changed scenario in the NDA, there are three options open before the Trinamul, leaders feel. “We must tell the BJP to spell out its stand vis-a-vis the Trinamul. If we do this, a positive message will go to West Bengal’s electorate,� said the general secretary.
The party must also deploy its leaders in the districts till the panchayat elections to firm up the possible alliances at the local levels. There is need to go into adjustment with the PDS, the RSP and a section of the Forward Bloc.
The Trinamul also should rethink on whether it can really drive the BJP into hard bargain. “Mamata Banerjee is not a hard bargainer,� says Trinamul LS chief whip Sudip Bandyopadhyay.