The 2019 General Elections are due in a few months when the whole country will come together to choose the next government. Only time will tell who will form the government for the next term. BJP in 2014 came to power with a landslide victory in 282 seats. This was the first time in three decades that the government was formed without any coalition.
Following the 2014 polls, the country witnessed a saffron surge with BJP ruling 19 states across India.
With BJP having a strong hold on the country’s politics, the opposition needs to be united to shake the might of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here are some region wise possible political alliances in the runup to 2019 Polls:
Possible Alliances in North
North is the region where BJP holds a strong position. BJP is already in power in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and in collation with JDU in Bihar.
In a possible alliance, in Uttar Pradesh, Congress is looking for a collation with Samajwadi Party and in Bihar, the grand old Congress might collate with Lalu Yadav’s RJD.
Meanwhile, in Haryana, Congress will look forward to contesting the election with Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
Possible Alliances in East
In eastern flank, West Bengal plays a vital role in the upcoming general elections which is currently in the hold of Mamata Banerjee led TMC. Riding on the popularity of the Prime Minister, BJP will definitely eye to set ground in the state. At the same time, grand old Congress party may look for alliances with a left to gather as many seats from West Bengal as possible. BJP has an ambitious target of winning over 20 seats in 2019.
Meanwhile, in the northeast, since PM Modi came into power in 2014, BJP has managed to change the unipolar nature of politics in the region. Congress is expected to make an alliance with left parties in the northeast.
Possible Alliances in South
Southern politics has witnessed massive turmoil after the death of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa following which there has been leadership crisis in Tamil Nadu. BJP and Congress look it as an opportunity to set a firm foot in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and Kamal Hasan will turn out to be the deciding factor.
Meanwhile, in Karnataka, recent state polls proved that the people of Karnataka can go either side – with BJP or Congress – and the local state parties will play a vital role.
Possible Alliances in West
In the western part of the country, BJP currently, has a stronghold in Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
In 2014, out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, BJP had won 22 seats, Shiv Sena 18, NCP won six and Congress and Shetkari Sangathan, one.
Though Shiv Sena has announced that it will not contest the 2019 elections with BJP but the latter is still hopeful that the alliance will continue.
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan when we spoke to the people in the state, there has been a wave against the BJP, but a clear picture will come out only after the state polls.
Here’s a state-wise picture at the moment:
UTTAR PRADESH (80 SEATS)
2014: BJP won 71 of the 80 seats, while its ally Apna Dal secured 2. SP won five seats and two were bagged by Congress. BSP did not win a seat though it kept its core vote base intact.
MAHARASHTRA (48 SEATS)
2014: BJP won 22, Shiv Sena won 18, NCP won six and Congress and Shetkari Sangathan one.
WEST BENGAL (42 SEATS)
2014: Trinamool won 34 seats, Congress four, CPM and BJP two each.
BIHAR (40 SEATS)
2014: BJP won 22 seats, LJP won six while RLSP got three.
KARNATAKA (28 SEATS)
2014: BJP won 17 seats, Congress nine and JDS two.
ANDHRA PRADESH (25)
2014: TDP had won 15 seats, YSRCP got eight and BJP two, in alliance with TDP.
JHARKHAND (14)
2014: BJP won 12 seats while JMM secured two.
TELANGANA (17)
2014: TRS has won 11 seats, Congress got two and BJP, YSRCP, TDP and AIMIM one each.