Tit for no tat

Though the Congress did finally break away from the Left on the nuclear deal, there is a clear realisation that this parting of ways is only till the next elections8212;after which it may once again need the Left8217;s support to form a government. Not surprisingly, therefore, in all their public statements the Congress leaders have been careful not to be too critical of their counterparts from the Left. In fact, Vyalar Ravi admitted as much when he informally asked reporters after his press conference not to make his comments on Left parties look too harsh. Similarly, Kapil Sibal evaded a direct reply when asked whether the Left parties had been unreliable partners. Unfortunately for them however, the Left is not reciprocating the gesture and has not even shied away from personal criticism of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.