NDA or I.N.D.I.A: Which way will these 11 parties go?

While the news of NDA and I.N.D.I.A fronts is hogging the limelight for the past few days, there is little attention on the third block which comprises as many as 11 political parties and accounts 91 MP seats among themselves. This is just about 50 short of what the Congress-led front has. What is more? These 11 parties also boast of three parties that are in power in as many states.

The three parties that have state governments are the BRS in Telangana, YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh and Biju Janata Dal in Odisha. In the Telugu states, the ruling parties account for 35 MPs . Interestingly, these three parties have not been invited by either of the fronts. The I.N.D.I.A front feels these three parties are closer to the BJP, while the parties claim that they are totally independent.

In addition, there are parties like the BSP and TDP, which have considerable vote share. Though fast depleting, both the Shiromani Akalidal of Punjab, and the Janata Dal Secular in Karnataka have significant vote banks with them. Two other parties - Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and the SAD (Mann) are quite weak.

There are two predominantly Muslim parties - the AIMIM and the All India United Democratic Front (Assam). As of now, the Congress has not invited them. There is no question of these parties going into the BJP camp. It remains to be seen which way these parties go and what is their future strategy.