Jaipal's appointment hints at shape of alliances to come

Jaipal's appointment hints at shape of alliances to come
HARISH GUPTA

NEW DELHI, FEB 13: The appointment of S. Jaipal Reddy as AICC chief spokesperson is being considered as the beginning of a re-alignment of political forces and signals the establishment of ties between the Congress and other like-minded secular parties who have been steering clear of it all these months.

Since Reddy is personally close to several leaders of the Third Front, including V.P. Singh and Harkishan Singh Surjeet, it is felt that his appointment to the coveted position will help in cementing the ties.

Singh has gone on record that Congress could no longer be considered untouchable. He even stated that Sonia Gandhi could not be made accountable for the Bofors gun deal.

The CPI(M) leaders have been meeting Sonia in private for the past some time. Even the appointment of Kamal Nath as general secretary and incharge of West Bengal is an indication of things to come in the state. Kamal Nath is considered close to former chief minister Jyoti Basu.

Sources close to 10 Janpath say that Sonia opted for Reddy despite doubts by her loyalists. They were of the view that a newcomer like Reddy could at best be one of the spokespersons on the panel.

Sonia reportedly was of the view to make Reddy head of the media department. However, after prolonged consultations, she opted for Ambica Soni to head the media department.

Reddy's way with words and his wit also played a key role in winning his this position. He has earlier served as chief spokesperson of the Janata Dal as well as the United Front government.

Though it will be too early to say whether Reddy's services will be utilised for establishing contacts with the leaders of other secular parties, his appointment is a signal that Congress attack on the NDA will be sharper.

The AICC has already established floor coordination with the Left Front and other parties in Parliament, except Mulayam's Samajwadi Party and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party.

Political circles interpret Reddy's appointment as an attempt at consolidating this relationship. There is a proposal that no Third Front be formed and instead, there should be a secular front whose constituents should function in tandem, at least during the Budget session.

The possibilities of extending this floor coordination will be explored only after the results of polls in five state Assemblies (Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Pondicherry) are out in May.