Scene: Chennai - CM of the state says that he will withdraw support if NLC disinvestment is pursued.

Scene: Delhi - within hrs, an announcement by the PMO that all disinvestment plans are temporarily laid off.

These dramatic activities bring to the fore the compulsions of coalition politics. This is one of the cases which highlight the PM is totally not in control of the situation. Does the PM believe that Mr.Karunanidhi will withdraw support to the centre on this issue, which could mean loss of power for his grand-nephew at the centre and which could derail a lot of his plans? I personally do not think so unless there are some plans of some third front or so, which is highly unlikely given the current arithmetic and the acrimony between various potential 3rd front partners. Then, why is PM giving in to such pressures? He did stand firm just a month back during the fuel price hike.

Whatever be the reason, if this continues, it will be very difficult to pursue reforms, which could take the country forward with respect to the competition. If this is the case of this ministry, i really wonder what will happen if Congress and BJP further lose strength in the Parliament and there is a hung parliament or a third front. No decisions could be taken cohesively, there will be a lot of pulls and pressures and the country just cannot move on. The regional parties will think only regionally, without a national mindset and this is a dangerous trend for the country. We cant afford another disintegration of the nation and it is time the public and the national parties like Congress and BJP realize the seriousness of this and come to a status where only a 2 party dominance will be there. Lest, god save us. We will have Anbumani heading the AIIMS, Arjun Singh the IIMs and Lalu Yadav, the CBI.