ONE cannot but begin to have serious doubts about the strategic vision of our so-called secular leaders in the nation's war against communal forces. Witness the pathetic behind-the-scenes manoeuvres to cobble yet another strictly ad-hoc coalition; the one-point agenda of keeping the BJP out of power for a short while, even if it ends up giving the foe additional ammunition for the long-drawn battle ahead; openly admitting that they do not want to face another election because the BJP will come out stronger; creating a bogey that gives the right-wing party a far too larger-than-life image.
What our leaders have completely failed to grasp is that the battle against fundamentalist forces like the BJP and the Shiv Sena cannot be fought in the bungalows of Lutyens' Delhi. If a serious war has to be waged against them, the theatre of action has to be shifted to the countless towns and villages of the country. And it is time we realised that if we are to have a credible chance of winning, it cannot be done through unprincipled alliances...
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