Hyderabad, November 09: ‘United they stand, divided they fall’. This adage is, perhaps, not applicable to today’s politics. The parties, if they are divided, may stand to gain in the GHMC elections. Political parties are divided in their approach to campaigning in the GHMC polls to beat the common rivals.
There is unity in perception among political parties though they are poles aprt in ideology.
The TDP, which is very close to the MBT in the Old City, had initially thought of forging an alliance with the minority party. But, finally it decided against the idea. The relations with the MBT are, however, not strained and there are no differences between the two parties on seatsharing.
But, in a strategic move the TDP wanted the MBT to contest the elections. The reason? To divide the votes of MIM in the Old City and help the TDP.
In a multi-cornered contest, the votes of the minority community would be polled en masse in favour of the MIM which, according to analysts, is sure to romp home in close to 40 divisions in the Old City. If MBT candidates are in the fray, they might cut into the votes of MIM. In a multi-cornered contest b ythe Congress, BJP, TDP, MIM and MBT, the TDP hopes to win some seats.
The Congress, which has good ties with the MIM, too decided to contest on its own. The strategy is that it may field some weak candidates against the MIM which can win a substantial number of seats on its own.
After the elections, the Congress may seek the support of MIM.
As for the MIM its strategy is that if it can win in 40 to 50 divisions, it may go in for a post-poll tie-up with either the Congress or the TDP depending on who will emerge as the single largest party. The MIM may bargain for the mayoral post in the wake of a fractured mandate.
The grapevine has it that the TRS has opted out of the elections only to help the TDP and defeat the Congress.
After much dilly-dallying the PRP has decided to field its candidates in divisions where settlers are in large numbers. This is to cut into the votes of the TDP and help the Congress.
–Agencies