Allies don’t want PM to name his deputy

The Samata Party’s feelings found an echo in the Telegu Desam Party. TDP sources said that had the PM appointed a deputy, if only in an officiating capacity, it would have sent out a strong political signal and the party would have to study the “short term and long term implications” of the decision.

Clearly, the allies see the mounting debate for a designated number two in the Government as an attempt to close their political options in a post-Vajpayee scenario should something unforeseen happen. And the more aggressive and assertive of them are not willing to sign their options away to the BJP.

TDP sources pointed out that Chandrababu Naidu uses technology to keep in touch with his Cabinet colleagues when he is away from Hyderabad. For instance, every time he comes to Delhi, he holds a teleconference every morning with his ministers. “Nowadays, you don’t have to present in the same town to keep in touch with what is happening,” sources said.

Vajpayee too has put technology to good use for his extended stay in Mumbai by hooking up satellite connections for instant communication with Delhi. “And should there be an emergency, he can always authorise Advani to chair a Cabinet meeting,” a PMO aide pointed out.

If Vajpayee has departed from convention in this, his multi-party coalition government, made up of partners with ambitions, is an unusual arrangement as well. And with his penchant for staying away from controversies, he seems to have chosen to keep himself out of trouble by not defining more clearly the delicate equation between the partners.

Sections of the BJP are particularly upset at what they perceive as a vote of no confidence in the major partner of the alliance. The BJP, which sees itself as the natural leader of the coalition, would like its role to be secured for as long as the NDA exists, with or without Vajpayee.

With the PM refusing to annoint a number two, the party’s hopes stand dashed. As BJP sources lamented, there will be hard bargaining all over again in a post-Vajpayee scenario.