Congress’ Pre-Poll Alliances Enough to Edge Past BJP: Chidambaram

P Chidambaram said that the Congress’ declared pre-poll allies are much stronger than those of the BJP’s.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the Congress’ declared pre-poll allies are much stronger than the BJP’s allies.

(Photo: The Quint)

Reflecting on the various political equations and the possible post-poll alliances in the offing for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, in an exclusive to The Quint’s Editorial-Director Sanjay Pugalia, exuded confidence about the Congress’ chances.

He said that alliances formed by the grand old party will be enough to edge past the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On being asked if he concedes that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party post the 2019 election, Chidambaram said that it won’t be relevant to the outcome.

“That I cannot say at this stage... but that’s not relevant. What is relevant are pre-poll and post-poll alliances... but the pre-poll alliances are very relevant as that is the law of the country as declared by the SC,” he said.

He then went on to give a break down of the ‘declared’ allies of both the parties.

‘Cong’s Declared Allies Stronger Than BJP’s’

“Our pre-poll alliances and the BJP’s are known to everybody. Congress’ pre-poll alliances include DMK, UDF in Kerala, NCP in Maharashtra, RJD in Bihar, JMM in Jharkhand and other small parties. Whereas, the BJP’s declared allies are the SAD in Punjab, the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, JD(U) in Bihar and AGP in Assam,” Chidambaram said.

“So, if we go by the declared alliances, our alliances will be ahead of the BJP’s,” he added.

Responding to the various equations that can emerge post the results, and the legality of calling the stronger pre-poll alliance to form the government over a stronger post-poll one, the former finance minister said that it is all just speculation at this point.

“As per the law, as we have seen in the Goa Assembly elections, even a post-poll alliance has to be taken into account,” he said.