Opp ups Govt bid if NDA fails even by a whisker

| | New Delhi
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Opp ups Govt bid if NDA fails even by a whisker

Thursday, 23 May 2019 | Deepak Kumar Jha | New Delhi

Opp ups Govt bid if NDA fails even by a whisker

Pawar contacts YSR Cong chief, KCR, Naveen

Unfazed by the findings of the exit polls, the Opposition is continuing with its efforts to form a non-BJP front so as to form a Government in case the NDA falls short of the halfway mark even marginally.

While Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi have asked party workers and its Lok Sabha candidates not to believe the “fake and manipulated” exit polls, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has established contact with YSR Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, TRS leader K Chandrasekhara Rao and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik in the last 24 hours.

Sources said Pawar is believed to have convinced Jagan, KCR and Patnaik to join the Opposition rank to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from staging a comeback.

Congress sources said Naveen Patnaik also received a call from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Both Patnaik and Nath are Doon School pals. Patnaik so far has maintained equidistance from the NDA and Congress-led alliances, but recently he announced to support whoever “offers the best package” for Odisha.

Sources said Pawar’s mission has been successful since all the three leaders are believed to have assured him of their support by if the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has the numbers to form a stable Government.

Pawar has already been in touch with TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh Mahatgathbandhan leaders Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav, besides Congress leaders, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

While Pawar was tasked by Sonia to be the “catalyst” between secular and non-BJP parties, Naidu has already held several rounds of meetings criss-crossing the country. On Tuesday late night, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister called on his Karnataka counterpart, HD Kumaraswamy, and his father former PM HD Deve Gowda. Karnataka has a Congress-JD(S) alliance Government.

“Pawar’s role will be crucial in bridging the possible differences between YSR and TDP or TRS. Jagan is also being pursued by the BJP, which is trying to consolidate its numbers, just in case they require,” said political sources.

A confident Rahul on his part urged party leaders to be “alert in the next 24 hours” and “be fearless as exit polls are fake”. “The next 24 hours are important. Be alert and vigilant. Don’t be afraid. You are fighting for the truth. Don’t be disheartened by what the fake exit polls are propagating. Have faith in yourselves and the Congress. Your hard work will not go in vain, Jai Hindi,” Rahul tweeted.

Priyanka too said in a message to party workers that they should not fall for “rumours” intended to make them drop their guard ahead of the counting of votes.

“My dear Congress workers, sisters and brothers... Don’t let rumours and exit polls discourage you. This is being done just to break your determination. It is very important that you remain alert amid all this. Please continue to keep vigil outside strongrooms and counting centres. We are confident that our combined efforts will bear fruit,” Priyanka said in the audio message.

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