Dehradun, June 13 -- The implosion of the Trinamool Congress has led politicians of various hues to suggest that smaller parties which, in the past, splintered from the original Congress, should return to the mother ship. This advice is not only being given to the TMC, but also Sharad Pawar's NCP-SP. It is being hoped that this would strengthen the opposition's hand against the BJP led NDA. This strategy has its pros and cons that will need to be considered before it is implemented - if the egos of the respective leaders do allow it.
Merging with the Indian National Congress (INC) provides regional parties a unified ideological front but demands the sacrifice of local autonomy and leadership ambitions. Political speculation regarding small...