The Congress has also not shown dexterity in stitching up alliances. The Lok Janshakti Party, which was keen to be with the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, walked into the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
The Congress could not cobble together any viable alliance in Tamil Nadu while the BJP has managed to have a multi-party alliance.
Congress leaders, privately, said that some leaders leaving the party on the eve of elections and joining BJP did help its opponent score brownie points in the heat of the election campaign and create a perception in its favour.
Officially, though, the party played down the desertions.
”Leaving and joining parties is commonplace closer to elections. There is no wave (in favour of BJP). The BJP is using all tactics to win over people and then give them tickets,” party leader Shaktisinh Gohil told IANS.
