NDA's 'boycott P Chidambaram' to woo AIADMK's J Jayalalithaa

NEW DELHI: The ‘woo factor’ seems to have prompted NDA’s decision to boycott home minister P Chidambaram in Parliament. BJP, which is anxious to broadbase its alliance, was under pressure from potential suitor, AIADMK’s J Jayalalithaa, to take the extreme step against her bete noire.

AIADMK has been raising BJP’s expectation levels by sending her emissaries for BJP’s in-house events. Her representatives attended the Sadbhavana fast of Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad and participated at the Ramlila Maidan rally on Sunday, at the conclusion of LK Advani’s ‘ Jan Chetna Yatra’.

Although other parties in the Opposition like the Left are against boycott of individual ministers in Parliament, NDA is not worried about the negative impact on popular perception. Congress had once boycotted George Fernandes for 22 months during the NDA rule, after he was re-inducted as defence minister even before he was cleared in the Tehelka case. “We have decided to boycott Chidambaram for his alleged role in the 2G spectrum allocation. The prime minister should not allow him to continue in office,” BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defended Chidambaram and said that there was no case for his boycott. “There is no case for such type of boycott. I hope political parties will resist any such temptation,” the prime minister said.

The Left stand against boycott of ministers should bring some comfort to Congress as it would help it to drive home its point that it was part of NDA’s “politically motivated plan.” The government’s outside supporter, RJD, came to Chidambaram’s support on Monday. “BJP does not believe in democratic forms of protests,” said RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh said his party was yet to take a call on the boycott of the minister. “We will discuss the issue in our party and decide on it,” Mulayam Singh said.

Congress leaders, particularly Digvijaya Singh, went on the offensive against BJP over its action. “The home minister’s refusal to slow down probes against right-wing Hindu extremists is the reason for the boycott,” said Singh.