During a recent meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Praful Patel made a significant revelation, claiming that the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and NCP in 2004 did not materialize due to the actions of Pramod Mahajan. Patel asserted that in 2004, there were plans for an alliance with the BJP, and a meeting was arranged at his residence in Delhi at the behest of senior BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.
According to Patel, Gopinath Munde, a prominent BJP leader, was in favour of the alliance. However, Pramod Mahajan, another key figure in the BJP, opposed it, fearing that an alliance with the NCP would diminish his political significance. Mahajan believed that if an alliance were formed with Sharad Pawar’s NCP, a powerful leader from Maharashtra, then the BJP’s top leadership might prioritize Pawar over him. To prevent the alliance, Mahajan allegedly leaked information about the meeting to Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena.
The revelation suggests that internal dynamics and political calculations within the BJP played a crucial role in thwarting the potential alliance between the two parties in 2004. The leaked information led to Bal Thackeray’s opposition, creating a rift and preventing the collaboration.
During the NCP meeting, Patel disclosed that the discussions for the alliance had the consent of senior BJP leaders such as Atal B Vajpayee, LK Advani, and Jaswant Singh. However, Mahajan’s opposition, driven by concerns about his own political standing, disrupted the plans.
Gopinath Munde, though supportive of the alliance, was not directly involved in the talks. Patel’s revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics and power struggles within political parties during coalition-building exercises. Mahajan’s reluctance and subsequent actions influenced the course of political events, eventually leading to the failure of the proposed alliance between the BJP and NCP in 2004.As of now, there has been no significant reaction from prominent leaders regarding Patel’s revelation. The statement adds an intriguing chapter to the political history of coalition dynamics and decision-making processes. within India’s political landscape.
