The complexities of coalition politics can lead to strange outcomes, as NCP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will discover. In the upcoming elections to five states he is expected to participate in the election campaign for candidates from the United Progressive Alliance and his party, the NCP. In Kerala, which goes to the hustings on April 13, he won’t be able to do both. That’s because the NCP is a coalition partner of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Pawar is expected to campaign for NCP’s Mani C Kappan in the Pala constituency. His opponent, however, is four-time minister and Kerala Congress strongman K M Mani. So, in effect, Pawar will be campaigning against a candidate from the party with which the NCP is in coalition at the Centre.
You’ve reached your limit of 10 free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app