BJP is losing sight of coalition dharma'

The BJP has grown in association with other parties. The reason is that in its early years it used to be treated like a pariah in the political system on account of its “communal” image. Then it would entreat non-Congress parties not to practise political “untouchability” against it. Over time the message had an impact and the BJP now leads the National Democratic Alliance with a massive majority in the Lok Sabha.

This is why it is surprising to see leading allies of the BJP articulate their unease with the ruling party, more so when political anticipation in the context of the next Lok Sabha election is beginning to build up.

The general complaint heard that the BJP is losing sight of what’s come to be called “coalition dharma” — which might loosely be translated in political terms as solicitousness or mindfulness toward allies.

The Shiv Sena has announced that it will be contesting the next Parliament election without associating with the BJP. The Sena is the BJP’s oldest ally. Both have the same sort of ideology but ended up rivals for ascendance or supremacy in Mumbai and the areas around it, the Sena’s traditional hunting ground.

The Shiromani Akali Dal of Punjab is a BJP ally practically as old as the Shiv Sena, and the SAD began to signal its sympathies for the Sena when the Mumbai party announced its break-up with the BJP. The Punjab party remains with the BJP but has strongly hinted at being unhappy.

The Modi government’s relative indifference to issues concerning farmers, SAD’s main base, has made the Akalis wary. Also, the SAD did not manage to get its concerns heard, particularly in the matter of appointments of its nominees as governors and other positions that are a gift of the government. The chemistry appears palpably weak.

The Telugu Desam Party remains within the NDA fold but its ministers left the Modi government last week on matters relating to financial disbursals to Andhra Pradesh. It is unclear how long the TDP will be with the NDA. It is probably going to test whether it can get the votes of BJP MLAs for Rajya Sabha seats from Andhra Pradesh.

Besides the SS, SAD and TDP, the BJP’s minor allies in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have also of late begun to show their disenchantment with the saffron party. These parties are a force multiplier at election time. It is to be seen if any of BJP’s disgruntled partners attend the dinner being hosted by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi this week. There was speculation about the TDP in this regard but the possibility has been played down.

The BJP’s centralising tendency also appears to have made it overbearing toward allies because it has a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha. Without allies, the going would always be tougher.