BJP banks on leaders crossing party line

Even as the odds are stacked against him, vice-president and presidential-hopeful Bhairon Singh Shekhawat radiates confidence in his ability to attract voters from across the political spectrum. This begs the question as to what exactly he is banking on.

According to sources in the BJP, the party is working overtime to make sure it gets him as many extra votes as possible. For example, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Brindavan Goswami is expected to visit New Delhi in the next couple of weeks, ostensibly to meet BJP President Rajnath Singh over a tie-up for the local body elections in Assam.

Sources, however, insist that lobbying with the AGP, which is firmly with the Third Front for the presidential elections, is very much on the BJP's agenda.

AGP president Brindaban Goswami told reporters in Guwahati that his party, which had 24 MLAs and three MPs, had decided not to vote for the Congress candidate. The Third Front accounts for over 1,00,000 lakh votes.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has already declared that his party is interested in ensuring the Congress candidate's defeat. Even if the Left supports the Congress, the Samajwadi Party will not, he is known to have said.

Singh's strategy, whether to vote for the NDA or put up a Third Front candidate and force a count of the second preference votes, is also being discussed in the BJP circles.

Senior party leaders say Shekhawat is trying to appeal to Rajputs and Thakur legislators in north Indian states, especially the recently elected Thakur MLAs in the BSP, to cross the party line, despite BSP chief Mayawati's decision to extend unconditional support to the UPA. He is expected to host a dinner for Rajput MPs soon.

Also, the BJP leaders are expected to meet the Election Commissioner to urge him to ensure that the principle of secret ballot is adhered to. In all ways, Shekhawat is ensuring that even if he does not win, he is not accused of not having tried.