As polling comes to end, busy cross-talks channels are open in non-NDA camp

New Delhi:As the two-months long Lok Sabha election comes to an end with the last phase of polling to be held on May 19, political parties have started exploring the possibilities of forming the next government.Polling in 483 constituencies has been completed, and now voting remains for 59 seats, results will be declared on May 23.

Unlike the BJP-led NDA, political discourses are gaining momentum in the non-NDA camp, where Congress-led UPA and Mahagathbandhan allies are hoping to stitch alliances to oust the Narendra Modi government from power. 

Meanwhile Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi head K Chandrasekhar Rao is making efforts to form a non-NDA, non-UPA alliance, Federal Front- a conglomeration of regional parties- which does not have much takers now. 

The Telangana Chief Minister had visited DMK president MK Stalin on Monday and reportedly asked the latter to join hands to form the Federal Front. 

According to sources, the DMK chief, however, categorically stated his refusal to leave UPA, and he invited Mr Rao to the Congress-led alliance.  

Mr Rao also visited Kerala Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayn on May 6 and reportedly discussed about the possible post-poll scenario and tried to convince the Kerala CM about the importance to form a Federal Front. 

KCR, as the Telangana Chief Minister is popularly known, had also visited regional satraps, like Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress, Mayawati of BSP and Deve Gowda of JD(S).

It is learned that except YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy and BJ(D) patriarch Naveen Patnaik, other leaders have reportedly ruled-out a Federal Front and exuded more interest in forming a Mahagathbandan government.

Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and Mr Patnaik, have not revealed their plans, though, both the parties have an intention to join the NDA camp, sources say, they may wait till the last minute to take a decision.

According to a senior leader in the Congress, AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh and former Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy is in touch with YSRCP leader, who had a strained relationship with the grand old party after the death of his father and former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Congress had sent an emissary to KCR, too, for informal talks, however, the latter was keen on moving ahead with his Federal Front plan.But, according to a political observer, KCR is showing signals of vulnerability as he described 'Mr Modi is politically a flop', in a recent interview with NDTV channel. 

In UP, the Mahagathbandhan of BSP-SP-RLD is hoping to win around 50 seats out of 80, and BSP chief  Mayawati has already signaled her ambition to play a bigger role in national politics. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav also lends his support in nominating Dalit icon as next Prime Minister.

Ms Banerjee, who had a bitter war of words with Mr Modi and BJP president Amit Shah during the campaign, also aims to play a bigger role in Delhi, as she is expected to win a handful of seats from Bengal.

However, according to Congress sources, in a scenario where the party gets 150 seats and the NDA fails to reach the magical number 272, it would try to form the government, in the coming days, the party will intensify parallel talks with regional parties, including the UP satraps and Ms Banerjee. 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desham Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, probably would become the kingmaker, however, it is uncertain how his presence in Mahagathbandan will affect the chances of his rival Jagan Mohan Reddy's entry into the Congress camp.

"Talks are going on. But after the third phase, we feel the ground has been changed. A silent Modi wave is there on ground. Mr Modi has invoked Pulwama, Balakot issues have making good impact in last phases. So, we cannot do much, but wait till 23 and if BJP is going down, we have chances", said a senior Congress functionary. (UNI)