Photo: PTIContours of a rainbow coalition to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began taking shape in Mumbai on Republic Day when a number of opposition parties and anti-BJP organizations joined hands in a “Samvidhan Bachao” (Save the Constitution) rally, led by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. “It must be admitted that Pawar saheb still carries a lot of persuasive powers and influence with most opposition parties. “This was one initiative where we thought we should join to show the BJP that opposition parties could unite on issues. Questions like whether this is a precursor of things to come or if a grand anti-BJP alliance is being formalized are premature and such things take time,” said this Congress leader. “Congress is always wary of any initiative which Pawar saheb is leading because they don’t want to play second fiddle to us.

Source: Mint January 28, 2018 18:33 UTC