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    Is Janata merger foiled by Mulayam Singh Yadav's interests?

    Synopsis

    If Nitish, as is feared, is deceived over Janata merger, it would be his first brush with Mulayam's cold realpolitik.

    TNN
    (This story originally appeared in on May 22, 2015)
    NEW DELHI : What's common between Prakash Karat, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar? They have all been "betrayed" by Mulayam Singh Yadav. And two of them fell for the Yadav chieftain's ruse after having suffered at his hands before.

    If Nitish, as is feared, is deceived over Janata merger, it would be his first brush with Mulayam's cold realpolitik. But he too cannot complain as Karat had warned him while he was toasting Yadav for facilitating the grand unification. Before stepping down as CPM chief, Karat went public with his experience of dealing with the top Samajwadi. "Mulayam has been betraying (repeatedly) ... he is very difficult to remain committed to his word," he said.

    So, what is it about Mulayam that politicians of all hues repose faith in him even after getting deceived?

    "Every time, there is a desperate hope that he would stick to his word this time. There is a willing suspension of disbelief on reaching Mulayam's doorsteps," an MP said.

    The flip flop over Janata merger has put the Samajwadi leader back in spotlight. By popular logic, Mulayam went with the wish of his 'foe-turned-samdhi' Lalu Prasad who was less keen on merger than Nitish. And the announcement was made to help Lalu avenge Nitish for humiliations over 15 years of rivalry.

    It may sound too ruthless for protagonists dealing with each other on a daily basis. But personal relations have never deterred Mulayam from putting self-interest above friendships.

    Sonia Gandhi found it early in 1999 when Mulayam joined the "secular" opposition in bringing down the Vajpayee government but refused to support Congress in forming the government. Reason: He saw a revived Congress as threat in UP.

    Mamata Banerjee suffered twice in three months, on each occasion egged on by Mulayam in opposing Congress, first in 2012 Presidential elections and then over 'FDI in retail'.

    Mulayam, insiders said, was all along provoking Mamata into quitting UPA so that SP could replace it in government.

    The somersaults from Mulayam have hurt CPM the most. The wily wrestler, part of 'people's front', jumped the ship to back the BJP candidate for 2002 Presidential election - APJ Abdul Kalam. He was accused of hurting the "secular" camaraderie but he boasted of his backing for a Muslim for top office.

    Karat was left wondering why when SP led the protest against the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal, only to make an overnight somersault to back the Congress government.

    As it happens yet again, nobody is able to explain why Mulayam continues to evoke good faith from his victims.

    But many believe his "political strength" and his claim to "secularism" make him indispensable for marginal players interested in "third front" politics.



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