UPA, NDA Hunt Allies
With election outcome slated to be declared on Saturday, political action gathered momentum in both camps, the UPA and the NDA, to receive the support of as many parties as possible. In the process, UPA seems to be gaining new and winning back alienated ones.
According to the reports, Senior Congress leaders Jaipal Reddy and Ghulam Nabi Azad held talks with Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Azad also met All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leaders.
The Praja Rajyam Party has kept its doors open while TRS switched over to NDA.
Pranab Mukherjee held talks with the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as well as Left leaders.
In addition, Mukherjee also attempted to woo estranged allies like Samjawadi Party while another senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel talked to Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Lalu Prasad, Lok Janshakti Party’s Ram Vilas Paswan.
Patel also met Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and the AIADMK.
Patel was joined by A K Anthony during his meeting with AIADMK leaders while Kamal Nath will met Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik.
Looking at the trend, most of the parties have softened their stand towards the Congress and was inching closer to it.
NDA leaders, too, were reported to be meeting at L K Advani’s residence in Delhi since Friday morning to discuss their options.
BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley was in touch with Mayawati and Venkaiah Naidu was talking with RDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.
The BJP was consulting RSS leaders as well with Rashtriya Swaymsewak Sangh leader Suresh Soni meeting Advani.
Indian national Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala called on Advani at his residence and Janata Dal (United) Sharad Yadav, Shiromani Akali Dal, Asom Gana Parishad and TRS leaders also are expected to meet BJP leaders.
