However, if the TDP were to withdraw support, the alliance would be at the mercy of the Chauthalas, the Sukh Rams and the Navin Patnaiks of the world, not to mention the likes of Paswan, Hegde and Fernandes of the JD(U), a party that looks like it will break up any moment (Why the heck did they have to name it JD "United"? Are they so devoid of common sense!<g>).
And we're not done yet -- there's Karunanidhi, Mamata Bannerjee and the bigwigs of the MDMK and PMK, who control 4 or 5 seats apiece. And more. Maybe the BSP, SJP and even the AIADMK! Because if the TDP were to pull out, things will turn that precarious.
Anyway the fact that the BJP could muster just about 180 seats on its own and that the Congress is probably on the verge of a split, affords Vajpayee a golden opportunity to rid his party of the most virulent of the Hindutva bigots. A purging of the more rabid ones will ensure that the remaining ones will keep their tails in place. However, the longer he delays acting along those lines, the more likely that his government will fall within two years, for the simians of the RSS, VHP, etc. aren't exactly known for keeping quiet for long, nor are they known for thinking about the consequences of their actions! |
