JOIN USMulayam Singh teaming up with Mamata Banerjee or J Jayalalitha is farfetched, but the possibility of an alliance cannot be ruled out completely. A snapshot of the unlikely bedfellows that they could make:
Mulayam Singh Yadav
A wrestler in his younger days, Mulayam, chief of Samajwadi Party, is familiar with the political ‘daav-pench’ (tricks) and likes to put his opponents on the mat. And he may do so even by pretending to be friends. He will not even be averse to making strange bedfellows if they help him get the coveted post of the prime minister. Its now or never for him.
Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is another regional satrap, who has also emerged as potential candidate to head the assumed and presumed third front.
The Trinamool Congress chief, who had earlier served as Union Minister both in BJP- led NDA government and ruling Congress - led UPA alliance, shot to the stage of national politics after she brought down 34-year long rule of Left Front government in West Bengal by securing landslide victory in Assembly elections in the state last year.
Banerjee, 57, began her political career as Youth Congress leader and founded TMC after quitting Congress.
Banerjee’s recent meeting with Janata Dal (U) national president Sharad Yadav sent the BJP into a tizzy.
Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, arguably the tallest Dalit leader in present times, is another politician known to harbour Prime Ministerial ambitions. Fifty-six-year-old Mayawati became the first Dalit woman Chief Minister when she was elected to head the Uttar Pradesh government in 1995 and led the State thrice thereafter.
Accused in many cases, the Dalit leader had to face many controversies such as Taj Corridor case. Her tenure as chief minister faced allegations of rampant corruption and sharp increase in her personal wealth and party fund have invited criticism as indicative of graft.
J Jayalalitha
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha is another political figure, who could be seen playing a major role in third front if such a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance is cobbled up. The film actress turned politician is also the head of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
The 64-year-old leader, who was instrumental in stitching opposition unity to stall the Centre’s proposal to set up National Counter Terrorism Centre and also propped up P A
Sangma against the Congress’ presidential candidate, appears to be keeping her options open in the run up to the 2014 general elections.