Shiv Sena plans anti-BJP front by putting together coalition of regional parties

As part of a larger national plan to counter the aggressive expansion plans of the BJP, the Shiv Sena plans to put together an umbrella coalition of regional parties. The idea is to form bulwarks in every state against the BJP since the Congress is now a weakened force in many states.

Sanjay Raut, senior Sena leader, told dna: "To solve the state-level issues, all regional parties need to come together by forming a federation. On several occasions Uddhav Thackeray had made such suggestions. Otherwise, small regional parties will continue to get step-motherly treatment from parties like BJP," said Raut.

But this plan goes against the idea of some Congress leaders who feel that regional parties should be barred from contesting the Lok Sabha elections so that a bipolar system will gradually emerge. Among those who back such a system is Prithviraj Chavan who said in the past: "Regional parties are not allowed to contest the national elections in Germany. On similar lines we must prohibit regional parties from contesting the Lok Sabha polls. Only then will the polity move towards a two or three-party system."

Is a national regional alliance possible?
Not likely. Most regional parties have very localised interests and taking on the BJP is not one of them. But if there is a major regional party like the Shiv Sena taking the lead, then at least in some states an umbrella group can take shape. Also, the Shiv Sena is now trying to project the BJP as a party that has to be stopped in its tracks and that might be a glue-factor in some states. In states like Bihar, the JD(U) and RJD have come together with the similar aim of stopping the BJP, but they will have nothing to do with the Shiv Sena.

Will major regional parties like the NCP support this idea?
Unlikely at the moment. Though a grouping of regional parties might find NCP as a partner. There are some unconfirmed reports that the NCP wouldn't mind going with the BJP after the state elections. So regional parties too are sharply divided on the attitude towards the BJP. Nawab Malik, the NCP spokesperson, said that many leaders from the national parties do not want to see the regional parties growing because it would hamper their growth. "If there is two-party democracy then there will be an imbalance. First of all, why do regional forces get created? It is because of the injustice by national parties. So regional forces are growing in India."

What is the view of regional parties?
Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathan president and Lok Sabha MP Raju Shetty told dna; "The recognised national parties take regional parties for granted and are forced to support policies of national parties. I had even discussed this issue with Uddhav Thackeray and we would try to bring all the regional parties at the national level on one platform after the assembly elections," said Shetty. Mahadeo Jankar, president, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, said: "There is need of some such federation and we will work on this. The so-called national parties cannot finish us, he added.

What is the MNS position?
The MNS reflects the Shiv Sena view. "This is the ideal situation for making a federation of regional parties but it is a very long process. If you see the Lok Sabha elections, the regional parties played a major role in getting BJP a simple majority at the Centre. Most of the regional forces votes were transferred to their candidates. Now, after coming to power, they want to finish off regional forces," Nitin Sardesai, MNS leader said.