They would appear an unmistakable pointer, in other words, to moves for the revival of an AIADMK-Congress alliance. Jayalalitha, who has remained grimly silent over the public resolves by former state-level allies (the MDMK of V. Gopalasamy, the PMK of P. Ramadoss, and the Tamil Nadu Rajiv Congress of Vazhapadi Rama-murthy) to stay with the BJP even in the event of the AIADMK's exit from the coalition, has acknowledged that doors are being kept open for a dialogue and a deal with the Congress. Recent Assembly election results may have revived dreams in the AIADMK of an enduring pact between the parties, the kind envisaged in the days of M. G. Ramachan-dran, while the Congress just back from the brink of extinction may be contemplating less than a long-term contract. The two have clearly commonpositions on Article 356 and the unacceptability of the DMK in elected office. Neither may be bothered by the fact that they have no shared agenda apart from such a design against norms of democracy. Jay-alalitha has spoken about hers being a "sought-after party" but it is her statements that amount to an overture to the Congress.

The opportunism of the realignment being attempted cannot be more obvious, particularly to voters who remember the AIADMK leader's poll campaign and her recommendation of the BJP's rule at the Centre for a "stable government and able leadership". But, even more, her specially targeted attacks on Sonia Gandhi, her repeated references to the issue of a "foreigner" being projected as the prospective leader of India. Added to it all is the unconcealed opportunism of her observations about the claims of the AIADMK to Union Cabinet posts. These not only question the Prime Minister's prerogative to choose his own Cabinet, but quote the price for continued support for the coalition rule.How credibly can the BJP complain now, after being enticed into an incompatible alliance by short-term considerations?