An opposition coalition of leaders and parties who have been rattled by Modi's powerful emergence on the national scene, could even by itself concern Modi and the BJP. But there is something more expected to happen in Haryana.

New Delhi: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the grand launch of his cherished Make in India, some of his bitter political rivals will be coming together to announce the building of a bigger opposition unity platform in Jind in Haryana.

An opposition coalition of leaders and parties who have been rattled by Modi's powerful emergence on the national scene, could even by itself concern Modi and the BJP. But there is something more expected to happen in Jind.

Though the occasion is 'officially' non political - leaders are gathering to pay tributes to Devi Lal on his birth anniversary - make no mistake about the true intent behind the occasion. It's election time in Haryana and a galaxy of opposition leaders present on the dais are staunchly anti-Modi except for one. That evokes too much popular curiosity, and is also drawing the attention of BJP leaders.

According to the programme, Akali Dal president and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, would be sharing the dais with Janata Parivar leaders including Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Deve Gowda, Om Prakash Chauatala, Ajay Chauata and others.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav could have been another prominent leader at the rally but since he is recovering after by-pass surgery, his presence was ruled out. The Chautala family is hosting the event. OP Chauatala who is out on bail on health grounds is said to have taken special permission from the court to attend the rally.

Badal had pitched for the INLD but the fact that he is now sharing sharing common political bonhomie with parties and leaders inimical to Modi’s rise could well be disturbing for the BJP. More so because it comes at a time when its other trusted “ideological ally” for 25 years, the Shiv Sena, is giving it massive headaches in Maharashtra.

Only three days are left before nominations close in Maharashtra and Haryana, and indications are that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance is over. In Haryana the BJP is going it alone. It jilted Kuldeep Bishnoi’s HJC and kept a distance from the INLD after OP Chauatala, and his son Ajay Chautala along with others were convicted in the Junior Basic Teachers recruitment scam. An alliance with INLD could have diluted the BJP’s anti-corruption plank. During the last assembly elections, the BJP had unilaterally severed ties with the INLD.

So this will be an occasion for the Chautalas to showcase the political support not just from anti-Modi leaders but also from an old and otherwise trusted NDA ally.

Chautala has to make himself and his party appear fully equipped to withstand the might of a resurgent and victorious BJP. The INLD believes that today’s rally will change the course, creating the right mood in favour of their party that would eventually impact outcome of elections. The party leaders believe, particularly after Congress announced its list of candidates for Haryana on Wednesday that it is going to be in direct contest with the BJP in most seats.

It’s a fact that except for the INLD, none of the other parties have any presence in Haryana. The Akali Dal can influence a section of voters but on its own the party is not in a capacity to do much on its own.

But Mulayam, Nitish and Gowda in company with Chautala are trying to give a message that the anti-BJP index of opposition coalition is rising.

It may not yield a dividend in Haryana but they are aiming for a long term re-alignment of political forces.

Nitish has already done that by aligning with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and Congress in Bihar even at the cost of his personal pride. He benefitted from that alliance, howsoever, regressive or casteist that may have been termed. All anti-BJP forces coming together to take on the BJP in by-polls threw unexpected results. Mulayam benefitted the same way in the UP by-polls, while his SP (in the absence of BSP and virtual non-existence of Congress), by default brought anti-BJP voters together. Mulayam, Nitish, Gowda, Sharad and Chautala are looking at a possible long term political gain, with or without Congress.

Badal’s presence in that company, even if temporary at this stage, has made them even happier. They are all keenly watching how BJP-Sena seat sharing negotiations are progressing in injury time.