The seven-phased 2019 Lok Sabha elections are almost nearing its end. Voting for only two phases is remaining. The sixth phase is on May 12 and seventh and last phase is on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23 and all results will be declared on the same day.
Just after 15 days, the process of the formation of the new government at the centre will begin. However, ahead of May 23, all political parties have already started their calculations of getting or nearing the magic number ‘272’, which is a minimum number of members of the Lok Sabha for the majority on the floor. The ruling BJP-led NDA is claiming to get a comfortable majority in the elections. On the other hand, leaders of opposition parties have also not given up hope. They have their own dreams and different ways and formulae to materialise them. The opposition leaders are trying to work out a meeting on May 21, two days before the Lok Sabha results come out, to discuss the prospects of a post-poll arrangement.
According to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu, a new Prime Minister would replace Narendra Modi. He asserted that the prime ministerial candidate would be amicably selected. He said that there are only three possible options. One, the Congress leads. Second, Congress supports from outside like in the United Front government. Third, Congress has to join the alliance. There is no fourth option. Chandrababu Naidu is the contact of the Congress President Rahul Gandhi and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. He will play an important role in bringing them together if needed. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has ruled himself out of the prime ministerial race but he is front runners among opposition leaders for the post.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday has also expressed confidence that a “viable alternative government” will be formed at the Centre after the Lok Sabha election results are declared on May 23. He said that after the results would be declared on May 23, we will all sit together and discuss government formation. It is remarkable that in Maharashtra, the Congress and NCP contested the Lok Sabha polls in an alliance. Although Sharad Pawar denies being in the race to become PM, he has ambition for this.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee is also a front runner for PM post. Opposition parties know that any party winning near about 35 seats will be a contender for the chair. If Mamata Banerjee wins all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, she will be the deciding factor. Her party TMC has 36 seats in the Lok Sabha. Mamata wants her to be seen as the adhesive binding the conglomerate of 23 opposition parties.
At the time, leaders of the BSP-SP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh said that their prospects were improving day by day. BSP leader Mayawati said that their electoral prospects are improving…the prospects of the opposition alliance will further improve in the remaining two phases of Lok Sabha polls. Hitting back at the BJP, the BSP chief said, “We are not ‘Mahamilawati’, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is ‘Mahamilawati’ (highly adulterated). Mayawati said, “There is a need for a ‘third coalition’ at the Centre.” Mayawati hints at prime ministerial ambition if given chance.
The Congress Party is projecting its president Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate of opposition. But many opposition leaders are not accepting Rahul Gandhi as their leader. If the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) will win sizeable seats in the ongoing elections, the party will be able to claim for PM post. Until then, the congress have to wait and watch.
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