Sir — The surge of the BJP, the mauling of the Congress and the helplessness of regional parties, represent an uncomfortable turn in Indian politics. Most regional parties were founded by men with pan-national credentials who linked regional aspirations with national themes. That gave us the valuable experience of coalition politics, and it also took democracy to new horizons.
But, soon enough, the game of numbers made regional outfits insular and their vision narrow. It was the left, with its trans-national moorings, that was able to provide some political glue to these disparate outfits and helped extend their relevance. The Third Front was its brainchild. The weakening of an intellectual left has taken away a vital third balancing force that was both ideological and political. It would be indeed sad if our political canvas were to be reduced to black and white.