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When the dust finally settles on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s decision to avoid a confrontation with the Left over...

When the dust finally settles on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s decision to avoid a confrontation with the Left over the Indo-US nuclear deal, few will doubt the sensibility and political wisdom concealed within the decision. In their speeches delivered at the Hindustan Times summit recently, the prime minister and the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi made a strong case for respecting the views of allies as a key principle of coalition dharma.

Moreover, there are enough pointers to suggest that the deal is not dead. For one, the US had to similarly prolong the adoption of the deal in order to reach consensus with the non-proliferation lobby. If a presidential system in the US spent ample time for domestic political dialogue, one must show reasonable consideration for a coalition government with multiple viewpoints to take its own time in moving forward.

It may be argued successfully that the nuclear deal with the US is in our best interests, if only for one reason, that the deal is a means of solving our electricity scarcity permanently. I do hope that national debate and public opinion will ensure that in due time, consensus is reached and the nuclear agreement is signed.

Modified

The onset of the election season is known to bring unexpected changes in some politicians, but none as dramatic as in the case of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. Suddenly, Modi has started extolling Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas. People find it hard to believe when they hear Modi praising Gandhi8217;s strengths and his ability in taking all sections of society along with him. Remarkably, Modi is now talking about representing all Gujaratis, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

In my view, Modi has realised that his communal card is not going to work at all in the forthcoming elections. Forget gathering support from all sections of Gujarat society; he is not able to get support from his own BJP people.

A sizeable number of BJP MLAs and MPs from the state are disgruntled with Modi8217;s style of functioning and are looking for options to get him defeated. He has also lost the support of VHP leaders who are now talking openly against him.

Modi is also running short of issues to support his electoral campaign. He can no longer launch an assault against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, since his own party has praised Jinnah, the man who divided India. He may cry himself hoarse over development in Gujarat, but the fact remains that this development is nowhere to be seen outside of a few big cities.

The writer is a Congress MP in Rajya Sabha