Congress is looking to consolidate Dalit votes in the poll-bound state. It has, however, dismissed the alliance as 'non-starter', pointing at JJP's dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls.
Dalits in large umbrella parties can work as effective caucuses to press their demands, but the road from representation to tokenism in such parties is slippery.
The durability of partnership will depend on whether both sides can institutionalise dispute resolution mechanisms rather than rely on episodic political bargaining.
By next weekend, Bangladesh will have an elected government. This is India’s moment to reboot broken ties by moderating the ‘ghuspethiya’ rhetoric in poll-bound West Bengal and Assam.
COMMENTS