Mayawati’s support to SP is a clear quid pro quo for their support to her Rajya Sabha ambitions; nothing more, nothing less. Mayawati is a very difficult person to get long with. The drip drip drip of leaders leaving BSP is proof of that. This is an alliance of convenience and not of conviction.
In a first past the post system, 40% is sufficient to win an election. The spectacular result in 2014 came with just 31%. It is only natural for opposition unity to increase when one party becomes dominant. However, the exceptional will to power now being seen, from not just fighting to win an election but forming governments against the grain of the verdict, even in denying space to political competitors which they are entitled to in a federal polity, is bound to push the index of opposition unity up. In UP, that could lead to a formal alliance between the SP, BSP and the Congress in a small supporting role.
Imaginary bravado!
Mayawati’s support to SP is a clear quid pro quo for their support to her Rajya Sabha ambitions; nothing more, nothing less. Mayawati is a very difficult person to get long with. The drip drip drip of leaders leaving BSP is proof of that. This is an alliance of convenience and not of conviction.
In a first past the post system, 40% is sufficient to win an election. The spectacular result in 2014 came with just 31%. It is only natural for opposition unity to increase when one party becomes dominant. However, the exceptional will to power now being seen, from not just fighting to win an election but forming governments against the grain of the verdict, even in denying space to political competitors which they are entitled to in a federal polity, is bound to push the index of opposition unity up. In UP, that could lead to a formal alliance between the SP, BSP and the Congress in a small supporting role.
Absolutely.