Strange Bedfellows

WHEN the George Fernandes faction of the Samata Party and the Chandra Shekhar led Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) merged, the focus was more on the personalities involved than on any likely political implications. Both parties put together have a base in only two states, Bihar and Haryana, along with a couple of pockets of rather unsure support in eastern Uttar Pradesh and their influence on national politics is limited. Yet, the 'parivartan rally' held on March 16 in Devi Lal's stronghold, Rohtak, at which the merger was announced, caught national attention. Reason: the new party, barring any last-minute hiccups, seems set to align with the BJP for the coming general elections; a realignment that may prove crucial for the latter's prospects.

But first, the parties which have decided to merge. While the new party will be registered as the Samata Party because it is recognised as a national party while the SJP is not, local leaders have been told to use either of the two names depending on which the people are familiar with. Leaders of both parties have written to the Election Commission to let them continue using the star symbol, under which the SJP contested the last assembly elections in Haryana, unless the Commission agrees to unfreeze the banyan tree symbol of the old Socialist Party.

Observers are rather sceptical about the merger and say it is nothing more than the coming together of socialists and Lohiaites who have fallen on bad times, driven by the need for survival on the eve of the elections. But Fernandes is categorical: "The merger is not an election-eve stunt. Discussions began in April 1995 but the formal decision could be taken only now because of the Samata Party's preoccupation with the Bihar assembly elections and because I was very ill." His reason for the merger: "The fact that we agree on crucial issues such as swadeshi, self-reliance and development." Here there does seem to be a convergence of views. Infact, Chandra Shekhar came out in support of the RSS-backed Swadeshi Jagran Manch before many of the BJP leaders.

Others, however, are a little more candid. Says SJP General Secretary Om Prakash Srivastava: "I cannot deny that local compulsions have played a major part in the merger, although I do maintain that we are all of similar views. In a scenario where even so-called national parties do not have a presence in all states, it makes sense to come together as we are important players in Bihar, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh."

It also gives the new party more bargaining power visavis the BJP. In fact, the proposed electoral alliance with the BJP is what the new party is banking on to emerge as a significant force. "The swadeshi issue and the BJP emphasis on self-reliance and national pride is in tune with our thinking," Fernandes points out. "While there will be no compromise on communalism, the greater danger today is that of neo-imperialism as a result of the economic policies followed by the Congress and the National Front-Left Front combine." He adds that he does not believe in the "politics of confrontation or that of catchwords such as communalism or social justice, but in the politics of dialogue".

And the logistical plans of the new party are in keeping with this line of thought revealing measured ambition. Leaders of both parties say only a limited number of seats will be contested in areas where the Samata-SJP has a strong presence as their "attempt is to ensure that the final number of seats we contest is confined to two figures". Thus leaving the bulk of the seats to the BJP, which seems keen on aligning with the new party as the move would go some way in bestowing upon it the legitimacy the RSS is seeking so desperately in the aftermath of the Ayodhya demolition. Says an RSS official: "Leaders like Abdul Ghafoor, Nitish Kumar, Fernandes and Chandra Shekhar sharing our platform and A.B. Vajpayee being projected as prime minister will show that Hindutva is not the BJP's only plank." The BJP is hopeful that an alliance will work out despite those in the party who object.

Among those opposed to the alliance is former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh who does not want to concede any seat. But senior BJP leaders seem more interested in the gains they would make in Bihar, and a section feels that the tie-up would strengthen the BJP's position among the Jats of western Uttar Pradesh. However, the fact that the BJP is taking time to come out with an official statement does point to the problems it is having with its state leaders. And that the formation of a new party is a bid by Chandra Shekhar and George Fernandes to leapfrog into national prominence is not lost on the BJP.