Yes, with inflation running high, this is not the best time for elections. But for an incumbent there is never any “best” time for elections, even astrologically, or the NDA would have won in 2004! Ideally, for the Congress, the best time will be after 10 years when Rahul has the age and experience so important in India. But today even a Mugabe cannot get away with delaying elections. Elections will come, one way or the other, any time between November and March. So Sonia has to decide: does her government proceed with this deal, secure India’s future, and take a reasonable shot at winning the election? Or does it dump the deal, diminish its prime minister, damage India’s future, and definitely lose the elections — and all of it for a couple more months in power, if at all?

sg@expressindia.com