Too many PM aspirants and too many confusions

Chennai: Compared to 2009 general elections, 2014 polls have thrown up too many Priministerial aspirants and associated confusions.

While the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has managed to find a consensus among its party cadres on PM candidate and announced Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s name well ahead of others, the ruling UPA lead by Congress is still keeping its card close to its heart on its possible PM nominee with the incumbent Manmohan Singh announcing his decision to retire after the elections.

Though chief heir of Gandhi family Rahul Gandhi would be the most likely choice for the coveted post, if at all Congress mustered a convincing majority, the century-old party wont take a risk but go for a senior most leader among the battery of veterans.

Though there is no third front as such due its fragmented dispensation, regional parties such as AIADMK from Tamil Nadu, Trinamool Congress from West Bengal and underdog Aam Aadmi Party lead by Arvind Kejriwal will give a tough fight to both BJP and Congress in their respective states.

Not to forget, AIADMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minster J Jayalalithaa has already set her eyes on securing all the 40 seats (39 from TN and one from adjoining Pondicherry). She had started her groundwork well in advance by launching several welfare and pro-poor schemes in the last few months. Her most recent ones Amma Canteen, Amma mineral water, small buses connecting interior stretches, rice subsidy, education schemes, and other social welfare schemes would surely transform into votes for their candidates. To keep her flock together, she even refused to form an alliance with any regional or national parties in the state. She will surely play a decisive role at the national level if AIADMK gets 40 or even 30 seats. Her eyes are surely set on the PM's chair.

Another silent PM aspirant is Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress, who has fielded several movie and sports stars to muster majority and out win the plans of Left parties.It is interesting to see Didi role in national politics after the elections.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh and BSP leader Mayawati in UP too are in the fray and are nurturing their ambition to become Prime Minister of India. Sensing that this election would be the right chance, as Congress would be most likely to get ousted, these two leaders are burning extra night oil for achieving their goal.

Recently, Janata Dal (U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too surprised many by offering himself for the post in case his party gets adequate seats. He called himself as ‘the most suitable man’ for the post.

Not to forget, the fledgling AAP and new kid in the block may also spring a surprise if they win quite a few seats in their maiden Lok Sabha Polls by playing a spoilsport for several political bigwigs.

Whether the elections will provide a stable 15^th Lok Sabha or a hung Parliament with hosts of confusion, the time will tell. But keeping in mind the delicate economic condition, a strong government with efficient leaders would take India to next level of development.