If the government addresses them nevertheless, it will be in response to the charge that it has done little of note in the last four years.

The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance will shift the centre of gravity of Indian politics to the right, with harmful consequences for the mass of the population which has a stake in Left-of-Centre policies. This shift can only facilitate the rise of

What do Congressmen want, five assured months in office before the general election is called or the possibility of being re-elected for another five-year term?'

The buzz is that Dr Singh has already secured the nuclear deal with the United States and a defeat on July 22 will not alter that reality.