United Front: Rumble in the Ranks 2

COVER STORY: UNITED FRONT

CAPTAINS IN CHOPPY WATERS

Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP: The UF's mascot in the North. The front is depending heavily on him to offset the JD's losses in states like Karnataka and Bihar.

N Chandrababu Naidu, TDP: The UF hopes its young convener will help take its tally in Andhra Pradesh from the current 17 to 25.

M Karunanidhi, DMK: The TMC-DMK alliance is unlikely to repeat the sweep in the last elections when it took all the 39 seats. But it will continue to be the backbone of the UF.

Jyoti Basu, CPI(M): With the Congress in total disarray, the UF hopes that India's longest-serving chief minister will deliver up to 38 of the 42 seats at stake in West Bengal.

PEDALLING AT CROSS PURPOSES

Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP: Has been less than charitable to allies this time. Refused to entertain JD and CPI requests in Uttar Pradesh. Has allied with Congress in Maharashtra.

H D DEVE GOWDA, JD: Responsible for trifurcating JD. Feels he has been wronged and is working to restore his 'lost honour'.

G K MOOPANAR, TMC: Has not forgiven CPI(M) for thwarting his bid for prime ministership when Deve Gowda was ousted. Refused to give the CPI(M) seats in Tamil Nadu.

H S SURJEET, CPI(M): Played honest broker but hold over Mulayam was exposed when SP refused to give seats to JD and the Left.

A B BARDHAN, CPI: Slighted by almost all UF constituents.

PRIME MINISTERS-IN-WAITING

I K Gujral, JD: Hopes to benefit from incumbency factor. Has kept everyone happy. Believes he has the best chance in the event of a hung Lok Sabha. Has Laloo's support but no takers in his party.

H D Deve Gowda, JD: No takers either in JD or regional parties. Chances: dim. Fighting for own survival in Hassan, Karnataka.

Jyoti Basu, CPI(M): Frontrunner in case UF musters the numbers required. Missed out last time because of his party veto.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP: Likely compromise choice in a Congress-UF tussle. Ally of the Left, has good ties with Congress, dynasty.

G K Moopanar, TMC: Most acceptable to Congress. Though a Sonia loyalist, he never deserted UF. Ties with DMK could be ticklish.

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