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Journalism of Courage
An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. T.S. Eliot got that one right,as political parties now embark on the business of forging workable alliances. To what extent can different parties make their electoral math add up and their ideological agendas coalesce? For instance,the Left might stretch itself silly looking for kindred souls in the BSP,and make tentative moves towards factoring in caste issues,but has perhaps come around to accepting that nuclear deal apart,the Congress is still definitely a friend with benefits. Witness the West Bengal CPMs distinct softening towards new state Congress chief Pranab Mukherjee now that could herald some interesting changes in the near future.
The Congress may have decided to operate from a position of strength,now that it senses the vulnerability in the NDA camp. Certainly,there is a distinct possibility that powerful team-mates like the NCP could cobble together their own alliances post-election,and it makes sense for the Congress to hold off binding commitments at this stage. But this did not stop its spokesperson from reaching out to CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat. And the BJP? With the disquiet amongst allies like the BJD in Orissa about its Hindutva agenda,the party is seen to be toning down its temple rhetoric. But will it?
