NDTV Correspondent Sunday, April 18, 2004 (Nagpur):

There have been mixed reactions among the BJP's allies to the remarks made by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on coalitions. 

Addressing his last rally in Maharashtra's first round of polling in Nagpur, Vajpayee indicated that he is tired of running a large coalition government and appealed to voters to give his party a clear mandate. 

"I am worried. Will we have a 22 party coalition again? It will not be good. I am asking all of you to help us and be prepared. We need security in this country. There may be an international crisis at any time," said Vajpayee.

'Undisputed leader'

Reacting to the statement, the Trinamool Congress held that Vajpayee was their undisputed leader.

The party was once the most volatile of the BJP's allies in the NDA—quick to walkout at the slightest provocation. But it now seems extra keen to prove that even if the Prime Minister says he's tired of his allies in the NDA, the allies are not tired of him. 

The softer tone is a clear indicator of what has happened over the years within the NDA—with the BJP becoming stronger at the cost of its allies. And that's the reason why the allies can't afford to take on the Prime Minister. Most need the Vajpayee brand to get votes for themselves.

'Coalitions to stay'

But Vajpayee's statement can affect the NDA, especially in states like Bihar where the Congress has managed to get a strong alliance going against it. 

Not surprisingly then that NDA ally, the Janata Dal United, was quick to point out that coalitions are here to stay.

"I think now there are less chances of a single party coming to power. The coalitions are here to stay," said Yadav.

TDP unfazed

Meanwhile, The TDP, which has never been part of the NDA, admits that a coalition at the Centre does give it more bargaining power. But the party is ready to support even a BJP government.

"As a party, we are not worried about not being a partner in a coalition. If BJP wants our strength to form the government, we are ready to support it," said TDP Spokesperson MV Krishna Rao.

"In fact, we want BJP to get absolute majority in the Parliament so that they can run their own government," Rao added.

Vajpayee's call for a clearer mandate for the BJP comes right after most opinion polls show that the BJP seems to be doing well on its own. The surveys also show that in most states, where its allies are dominant, the NDA appears to be losing ground.

Opposition attack

However, for the Opposition, the Prime Minister's remark has come as political fodder. 

Reacting to the statement, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna went on the offensive against the NDA.

"He is totally responsible for all that happens in the NDA. If he is unhappy, then that is what we have also been saying - that it is an unhappy and uncomfortable coalition. It is cemented only for power. Power is their ultimate objective, not service," said Krishna.

Vajpayee has already indicated that this election may well be his last and his comment on his own coalition government is bound to attract varied reactions from NDA partners. 

'Hurt by 1942'

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also talked about the controversy surrounding him and the Quit India Movement of 1942. 

He said that the Congress has continuously and falsely accused him of being a traitor, and that he is hurt by these allegations.

"I cannot tell you how hurt I am. Is it necessary to do all this to win an election? Do we have to attack each other? Do we have to insult each other?" he queried.

His uncharacteristic defence of his role in the Quit India movement indicates that the Congress' campaign against him seems to have rattled the Prime Minister.

Source: NDTV.com