Finally the UPA and Left have decided to part ways. The bone of contention is the much debated Indo-US nuclear deal. Once again future of Indian parliament will be decided by number games which all political parties love to play. The government has to prove the support of magic numbers of MPs on the floor of the parliament sometime soon to stay in power. So they have no option but to strike deal with smaller parties and MPs. New coalition must work. Of course this is in national interest.

New parties are pledging alliance with UPA. Samajwadi Party (SP) has offered full support. But is it unconditional and in national interest? Not likely. SP is looking for new launching pad to get into national politics and what better image than that of being savior of the government and supporter of nuclear deal? There are small conditions which favour likes of Anil Ambani. But right now they want to pretend to be nationalists.

Left too had given support in national interest. They wanted to keep away communal parties and they thought they could support UPA’s Common Minimum Programme. The support was from outside. So they could shake the prop now and then and get their way. Of course they did everything in national interest. They even overlooked inflation. They tried pushing thro’ SEZs (btw SEZ and inviting foreign investments have nothing to do with US imperialism). They didn’t protest strongly against any price rise be it food or fuel. But nuclear-deal? According to them it is not in national interest. Why? They mumble ‘We are against US imperialism’. So finally they have decided to withdraw support. Now they’ll stand with communal forces and vote against UPA.

UPA needs magic numbers and conditional support apart from SP is pouring in. TRS is one of the parties keen to negotiate. They want separate Telengana state. Ofcourse it is in national interest. If GJM had MPs they would have pledged support too. UPA should not forget that just proving magic number on the floor is not enough; they have to meet these separatist demands. They’ll forever stand on these wobbly props.
Do these coalition governments work in national interest? They are too busy with their balancing act to get their final act together. Staying in power becomes important. Ofcourse UPA has taken a brave step on N-deal by putting itself on stake. But they did it after negotiating with SP and ensuring its support. They don’t want to face elections now.

Is this the future of Indian politics? I am confused about what national interest means when parties are in coalition and what it means when they withdraw support? Also why inflation, rising food and fuel prices, farmers suicides, poverty, unemployment, crime, etc have become non-issues for these political parties?