Cong-SP alliance can trouble rebels

By Amita Verma

Lucknow

May 26: The thawing of relations between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party may have brought cheer to the well-wishers of both the parties but the move has left the Samajwadi rebels in a quandary.

The rebels in the Samajwadi Party, who had shown an inclination towards the Congress, are now wary of joining the party if it allies with the Samajwadi Party.

Of the five Samajwadi MPs who have rebelled against the party leadership, Raj Babbar, Beni Prasad Varma, Ateeq Ahmad, Munawwar Hasan and Shafiqur-rehman Warq, three were inclined to join the Congress "at the appropriate time" while two had displayed a preference for the Rashtriya Lok Dal.

These five MPs are now waiting for the emerging political equations to consolidate before they take a final decision.

"I am hoping against hope that good sense will prevail on the Congress and they will not enter into an alliance with the SP. I am an optimist and I will wait until the last moment because my first preference is the Congress. However, if the Congress shakes hands with Mulayam Singh Yadav, then I will exercise other options," said Mr Beni Prasad Varma, the rebel SP MP.

Mr Raj Babbar, who was the first one to unfurl the banner of revolt against the Samajwadi leadership three years ago, said, "There have been offers but I have yet to take a decision. I am watching the political situation at the moment. However, there is no question of having any truck with the Samajwadi Party, directly or indirectly (through Congress)," he said.

Mr Ateeq Ahmad, who was suspended from the SP after he declared his support for Mr Beni Prasad Varma, is also said to be wary of joining the Congress for similar reasons. Mr Ahmad, who is presently in jail, is said to have discussed the issue with his supporters, one of whom said, "He may remain independent but he will certainly not go with a party that forges an alliance with the SP."

Mr Munawwar Hasan and Mr Shafiqur-rehman Warq face a similar predicament. Both had developed a good relationship with the RLD and it is said that the two will contest the next Lok Sabha polls on a RLD ticket. However, with talks of the RLD readying itself for joining the Congress-Samajwadi alliance, these two MPs are said to be backing out.

"It will be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire," said one of their associates.

Some other Samajwadi legislators like Naresh Agarwal, who resigned from the party last week, and Dhani Ram Varma, on the other hand, have joined the BSP. The Congress, it is learnt, had sent feelers to both the leaders but they spurned the offer.