There are millions in this country who passionately support the Congress and reluctantly put up with its present leader. They support the party’s sane, decent, inclusive vision: a plural, secular, non-communal, non-casteist India committed to rescuing the 400-million citizens of our republic who are clearly not "shining" because they do not know where their next meal is coming from. However, when I see the durbar around Sonia, when I see the combination of terror and awe on their faces as they approach her, when I see the reverential hush which falls when she speaks, when I see personal loyalty to the family as the highest qualification for advancement, when I see foolish decisions being taken with no one having the courage to point out the error, I am not surprised that the Congress has fallen hook, line and sinker for the trap laid out by Messrs Mahajan, Venkaiah and Jaitley. A perpetual "reactive" position does not win many votes.
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The NDAa, especially the BJP, is so vulnerable, makes for a juicy target, but the one-eyed Congress can neither aim nor shoot. In India 2004, when two or three potential Congress voters meet, they can do little else but cry collectively.
