• When a coalition government is successful, the leader benefits the most “Words, ultimatums”. The partners are then compelled to tone down their demands in the subsequent election. When such a government fails, the coalition leaders face the brickbats even if the poor performance is due to the alliance partners. The Left has been the bane of the Congress, with its backseat driving extended to breathing down the driver’s neck without respite. That the public is fully aware of the Left’s sabotage of UPA performance may significantly reduce the former’s tally in the next elections. But that is small comfort. Hanging on to power, without delivering, can be disastrous and the Congress faces this danger. Signing the nuclear deal immediately, even at the cost of power, may yet salvage some of its lost prestige. It may also brighten the party’s prospects for the next elections. Inflation and the rise in prices are indeed a handicap for the Congress; but the public does perceive the situation as one that has everything to do with the increase in global prices of oil. However, the electorate expects positive policies and agendas. It will not accept negative ones such as “keeping out the BJP “ anymore. — S. RajagopalanPuneNecessary action• This refers to the edit “Congress’s choice” . It is time India ended its nuclear isolation. The government, by default, is expected to have no interest other than the supreme national interest in mind. It is also expected to sacrifice itself in order to safeguard that interest. Besides, to win a war, often a battle needs to be lost. That is fundamental to strategy. The Congress needs to rediscover the principles it displayed when Sonia Gandhi declined to become the prime minister. It is time for another sacrifice. — Rakesh KhullarChandigarh• One is saddened by the fact that a decent human being like Manmohan Singh has finally reached the end of his patience in dealing with the long-term energy security of the country. This is the result of the obdurate anti-national stance of the Left, which is harming India for good with the instrument of some 60-odd MPs. Singh seems to have realised at last the old adage that “ If you can’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” — P.V. MaiyaBangaloreAfter capitulation• The chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, and the BJP obviously hope that a new set of reservations will help them to be voted back to power in the assembly elections later this year “Rough justice and soft options”, . But by the use of this unfortunate political device for retaining power, and by succumbing to the Gurjjars, the CM has sent out the message that violence is the only means of attaining political ends in this land henceforth.— Bidyut K. ChatterjeeFaridabad
