It seems obvious that Rahul Gandhi could be the Prime Ministerial candidate against Narendra Modi in 2019. This is assumed after the Congress’ victories in three states. However, Congress could not hold the key. In fact, one of the allies from the anti-BJP force could play a crucial role in deciding the Front’s fate.
TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu has been successful in rallying all the anti-BJP forces together. While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamatha Banerjee could be a one-woman army and is known for not abiding by what the majority decides, the key could actually be with BSP Chief Mayawati she expects to win 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections for her party in UP alone which has a total of 80 MP seats.
While Mayawati has been compelled with a Congress tie-up in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, it has not happened on her terms. However, Congress on the other hand, believes that Mayawati’s political survival could compel her to stick to the anti-BJP front.
Therefore, according to the Congress, its own tally nationally should be a minimum of 125 seats if it has to cross the halfway mark of 272 in Lok Sabha. While this could put pressure on the Congress, trying to keep Mayawati together along with other allies will be difficult to handle.
