Sonia's scathing speech seals Left-UPA divorce

COMBAT CALL: Sonia made clear that there would be no going back on the Indo-US nuclear agreement.

    

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Keywords: Left, Sonia Gandhi

Majumdar explained the Congress’ strategy and Left’s retort as politics of provocation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s interview to a newspaper a few months ago – in which he challenged the Left to withdraw support – set the cat among the pigeons. Subsequent statements by Left leaders took this forward and Sonia’s comments on Sunday seemed to be the final nail in the coffin.

“There were two views in Congress on the timing of polls. Now it seems the party has made clear that it’s better late than never. It’s politics of provocation. The provocation first came when Prakash Karat was wrapping up the politburo discussions a week ago and spoke of Congress not being able to meet several decisions of the Common Minimum Programme. Sonia seems to have taken up the challenge from there on,” Majumdar explained adding that it was for the first time in three years of the alliance that Congress had spoken out so openly against the Left.

But Left parties too seem bent on their stand. At the same time, they are refusing to share the responsibility for bringing the country on the verge of snap polls. For them, its all Congress’ doing. “If the countdown begins, it’s Congress’ responsibility. As far as Left goes, we are talking to government on a very imp issue, which concerns the country. We are opposed to Indo-US deal as it’s not in our national interest. Let them say they don’t want out support. I have been saying Left is very reasonable and very objective If Government goes ahead, then joint panel has become meaningless,” Raja said.

Ironically, the Left-UPA joint mechanism has become the first casualty of the politics of one-upmanship. Even as the political drama plays out in its final act, it’s an unprepared country – pushed to the verge of an early polls - that waits with bated breath.