BJP tense as BJD splits

NEW DELHI, NOV 16: Today's vertical split in the Biju Janata Dal BJD Legislature Party in Orissa could not have come at a worse time for t...

NEW DELHI, NOV 16: Today8217;s vertical split in the Biju Janata Dal BJD Legislature Party in Orissa could not have come at a worse time for the BJP, which is in the midst of a do-or-die battle for the Assembly elections which are only nine days away. More than anything else, the BJD split has weakened the BJP8217;s claim of heading a stable coalition.

A similar split in the nine-member BJD Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha cannot be ruled out, as that too is divided into two camps; and BJP leaders here are anxiously monitoring the developments.

However, a split is not expected to directly affect the Vajpayee Government8217;s numbers in the Lok Sabha. The two factions in the BJD here are led by Union Coal Minister Dilip Ray and Union Steel Minister Naveen Patnaik. Both are unlikely to want to rock the Vajpayee Government by withdrawing support 8212; each is close to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and neither would want to lose his berth.

Opposition parties in the four states going to the polls 8212; mainly theBJP8217;s principal rival, the Congress 8212; are bound to get political mileage out of the BJD split by questioning the cohesiveness of the BJP-led coalition as well as the BJP8217;s ability to provide a stable Government that can deliver the goods.

Not only is the BJP facing an uphill battle against a resurgent Congress in Delhi and Rajasthan but even in Madhya Pradesh where the latter is putting up a strong fight. And the BJP fears that if the Congress performs well in the Assembly elections, political realignments are on the cards.

Other allies have also become openly critical and fractious : Blaming the Centre for inaction on prices and protesting about the failure to convene regular meetings of the Coordination Committee. Angry with the BJP8217;s refusal to concede seats, the Samata Party, Trinamool Congress, Lok Shakti and Shiv Sena have put up candidates against the BJP and are criticising the Vajpayee Government in their election campaigns.

After walking out of the Coordination Committee, Trinamool Congresschief Mamata Banerjee today delivered an ultimatum to the Vajpayee Government to improve the situation in the country within one year. She is also campaigning for the Samata Party8217;s candidates in Bengali-dominated areas in Delhi after refusing a similar request from the BJP.