Cautious optimism in opposition camp over 'anti-BJP alliance'

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Opposition conclave in pursuit of an anti-BJP unity, they expressed cautious optimism that after Tuesday's meeting there was a possibility of announcing formation of a national alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. However, they underscored that it's «a work in progress» and instant final agreements on all key issues — such as capping the alliance by inking seat-sharing formula among partners, announcement of a final common programme and sorting out of leadership issues — shouldn't be expected here itself.

While leaders were engaged in a meeting over dinner at the press time, the conclave has to showcase a movement since their June meeting in Patna by projecting intangible exercises, including projecting shared goals, setting up CMP drafting committees, pursuing state-wise alliances, resolving to reach out to people for joint campaigns against the Modi government and exploring maximum possible unity in the assembly polls. Some are keen on getting convenership.

Given the state of disarray in the Opposition camp, the coming together has set the atmospherics for a new resolve, even as parties have the task of overcoming several bottlenecks, such as turf complications, clashing egos and BJP's poaching plots. The meeting will also set the path for an aggressive Opposition positioning against the government in Parliament.

Building a saleable narrative over the state of democracy and the bread and butter issues and finding ways to make up for the lack of an acceptable national leadership face to take on the PM and the 'Modi plank' of BJP/NDA are big tasks. The conclave will also test the Opposition unity and tactics on the delicate issue of uniform civil code.