In what could be recorded as their first reaction opposing the Modi government and the BJP, Trinamool Congress and Biju Janata Dal have protested against the Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha today, indicating their dismay towards the NDA.
During Congress President Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s Arun Jaitley war of words in the Parliament over the Rafale deal, MPs from TMC and BJD protested against the Modi’s government’s response and sang in chorus with the Congress’ demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal.
Political circles are rife with rumours that this could be an indication that the Trinamool Congress and the Biju Janata Dal are leaning towards the anti-BJP front led by TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. Amidst a political scenario where TRS Chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao has been upbeat about forming a Federal Front of regional parties against the BJP and has met Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and West Bengal CM Mamatha Banerjee, this move by BJD and TMC MPs in Lok Sabha comes as a shocker to KCR.
On the other hand, the TDP could use this as a huge advantage for the anti-BJP Front and get more mileage out of both the parties in proving that both they are working in favour of the Front and have their support. If this turns out to be true, then KCR’s hope of leading the Federal Front could become water under the bridge and simultaneously, prove to be disadvantageous for the BJP.