Political adjustments are taking place to ensure 2014 is not repeated: ​​​​​​​Praful Patel

Praful Patel, former Union Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader spoke on the issue of alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and Grand Alliance in general. He said that Congress has made a good beginning with them in the state and an alliance can be recreated at the state level again. In the upcoming assembly election, BJP will be defeated, he said and welcomed the idea of a Grand Alliance.

Q: Can a combined opposition take on BJP in Lok Sabha elections?

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A: It has become very visible in the results of all by-elections that where ever regional parties have sunk differences, BJP has been defeated. There is a visible disenchantment with BJP. BJP made huge promises during Lok Sabha elections but none of them have been kept. On top of it, political adjustments are taking place to ensure that 2014 is not repeated again at the national level.

Q: Has Congress become a big regional party and what role do you expect it to play?

A: Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past. Even in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vote has become negligible. So it is better to adjust then perish. Having said that I would also say that Congress still remains the largest pan Indian party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play a role here and accordingly build consensus in the non-BJP bloc.

Q: What is Sharad Pawar’s idea of 2019 elections?

A: His understanding is that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about political alliances based on least division of votes. For this end, pan India alliances will have to be forged.

Q: Is one candidate, one constituency a good idea?

A: It depends on region to region but as far as possible, one candidate, one constituency is a good idea. All of this will depend on local and regional arrangements. But an arrangement like this in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra can affect BJP adversely.

Q: How significant is NCP’s victory in Gondia?

A: It is a significant victory for us. This seat belonged to us. Even in 2014, we fought elections together in Lok Sabha. Disenchantment against BJP is deep. They put all their money and muscle in Gondia but we ran a soft low-key campaign which worked for us.

Q: Has the relationship between Congress and NCP improved?

A: Good beginning has been made which reflected in the byelection. There is more engagement now between both the parties.

Q: Will Congress and NCP fight elections together in Maharashtra?

A: As I said, a good beginning has been made. We had an alliance in past and it can be recreated.