Bypolls, test of unity for alliances

By K. Balchand

PATNA, FEB. 1. The byelections to two Assembly constituencies - one each in Bihar and Jharkhand - will be testing the unity of the two major alliances in the two States, adding prestige to the contests.

The problem is more serious in the BJP-led NDA, with the major partner pushed into complications with the junior constituent showing no respect for each other's contentions.

Though things are not quite rosy with the other alliance, at least the RJD and the Congress(I) seem to be putting up a united front while other partners are intend on testing the waters for themselves.

Even as nominations for Asthanwan in Bihar and Ramgarh in Jharkhand closed yesterday, the coalitions had failed to hammer out their differences and field a joint candidate.

Though there is still time to resolve this thorny issue by the deadline of withdrawals which expires on February 3, the fact remains that the failure to nip in the bud the problems relating to just two constituencies underscore the gravity of the situation.

The situation is unpleasant for the BJP, particularly in Jharkhand where the Chief Minister, Mr. Babu Lal Marandi, has filed his nomination papers from the Ramgarh constituency to ensure a place for himself in the Jharkhand Assembly.

The irony is that the UGDP, which is part of the BJP-led coalition Ministry, has fielded its own candidate to contest the Chief Minister.

The BJP is rather upset over the adamant stand taken by the UGDP in insisting on contesting the seat, that too against the Chief Minister whose victory is a must for the existence of the government.

The UGDP had never contested the seat earlier but highly rates the prospects of its own candidate from the constituency.

The BJP leaders, who have thus far failed in reasoning with the two UGDP Ministers, are hoping to eventually prevail upon this junior partner before the expiry of the deadline.

A similar situation obtains in Asthawan in Bihar where the RJD is having to face a challenge from the BSP which supports the Rabri Devi coalition government.

The only difference is that the BSP is not part of the government, extending its support from outside. It remains to be seen if the BSP withdraws from the fray or not.

The redeeming factor, of course, is that the Congress(I) has not fielded its own candidate and the NDA is in a total disarray.

Both the Samata Party and the Lok Janshakti have put up their respective candidates in a show of strength between the two Union Ministers, Mr. Nitish Kumar and Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan.

The JD(U) of the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Sharad Yadav, has extended its support to Mr. Kumar's candidate. But the BJP is in a predicament not knowing which path to choose.

Some of its leaders have proposed that the matter be resolved either by the two contending parties or that it be left to the arbitration of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani. Others in the party insist that they would decide on the party's support if the two fail to sort their problem out.

Things are no different in Ramgarh, where the opposition is equally divided. The CPI has fielded the deceased MLA, Mr. Shabir Ahmed Quareshi's widow, Mrs. Nadira Begum, alias, Mrs. Najma Qureshi. But the JMM and the Congress(I) too have put up their own candidates.

The RJD, however, has restrained itself from doing so and was making a bid to ensure unity among the opposition parties.

According to sources, the RJD might, in case the unity bids fail, support the Congress(I) in reciprocation for its help in Asthawan.

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