Again,the rollback

The Trinamools opposition to the NCTC,as demonstrated on FDI in retail,the Lokayukta or land acquisition,may have to do with Mamata Banerjees perennially oppositional and populist mode,and the Congresss rivals may have their own political calculations. However,why didnt the Congress exhibit this openness to dialogue on the NCTC when it still had plenty of time? It repeatedly failed to talk to states and allies before moving big-ticket initiatives. Notwithstanding the indefinite delay now,or the prime ministers assurance,the Congress was not talking at least it wasnt seen to be doing so when it could have amicably placed the matter on the table and faced the critics. Instead,the Centre first sought to push the NCTC through,exposing its disregard for the fact that Indian politics has long ceased to be beholden to a disproportionately strong Centre and one-party dominance. Now,the damage is double,with the Congress appearing to have yielded to pressure and thereby underscored a perceived malleability which is more than the Centres actual weakness.

The NCTC was proposed to address security loopholes brought to light by the 26/11 attacks,and meant to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts across the country. In any case,the body that was scheduled to go operational on March 1 was a much diluted version of its original design so as to not infringe on a states turf. So,to set aside the federalism-in-danger argument,the Congress has to acknowledge its political failure. A little humility in talking and better awareness of current Centre-state equations would have saved the UPA time,energy,resources and face.