• Aug 25: There is no alternative to nuclear energy...No one can bully us: Lalu Prasad Yadav at party conference

• October 4: I appeal to all party workers to prepare for the next elections: Lalu at Purnea, Bihar

• October 11: No party wants elections: Lalu

The forces

•When UPA allies, especially RJD and NCP, saw Left wasn’t budging, fear of elections became real

•Embarrassment over Ram Sethu & price rise added to election headache

•Section within Cong argued if govt falls, where is the deal?

•Cong’s best case scenario now: Avert polls, then look for diplomatic way out of n-deal pause

Left preens

•CPI’s A B Bardhan: If they realised the fate of the govt should not depend on n-deal, they should not sacrifice the government at altar of deal.

•CPM’s Nilotpal Basu: Welcome that UPA chairperson and PM reiterating principles of coalition