The battle formations are being drawn up on the party tables. JDU split from NDA is merely waiting for the announcement, which may not be any ‘breaking news.’ Nitish sent an emissary to Mamata for testing the 3rd front alliance waters. Mamata this time is cautious with other parties, after the back-stabbing by Mulayam on the presidential elections.
The 3rd front is a myth, being propped up by the regional satraps belonging to various irreconcilable ideologies, and many until the other day were in opposite camps. It is difficult to predict for example, the likely performance of Samajwadis, in the wake of questionable governance and law and order problems in UP. The wily Mulayam, in the event of a theoretical formation of the 3rd front, will undoubtedly demand to be the PM. For the fear of a break up even before formation of the 3rd front, there may be no announcement of a PM candidate from the motley group.
Mamata herself may not fare that high in the LS elections, given the track record of a dismal performance, belying expectations. The other strong lady Jayalalitha will not even look at the front, with Karunanidhi to rub shoulders with.
No 3rd front dream could ever be a reality without the left, and they would not touch Mamata with a bargepole.
At this point, it seems more a ploy to carve out a larger slice of the seats for each of the party, which the congress may yield to. BJP led by Modi might easily cover the losses from the JDU split, but may fall short of majority, much like the Congress. We can brace for an animated suspension!
