Has the centre of political gravity in India shifted from bigger to smaller parties?
Nothing of that sort has happened. Regional parties have come up because the bigger parties have failed in their task, particularly the Congress. The Left has not been able to extend its base particularly in the Hindi area. It has now woken up to that task but it will take time. Meanwhile, we have to reckon with the reality that regional parties exist. How would this alternative be different from similar alternatives in the past? India is different now. The situation is also different. Similar alternatives in the past did not have a clear picture about domestic, economic and foreign policy. Now we do. Moreover, the parties are far more experienced now than what they were. It is not merely a question of power now. It is a question of power for what and for whom.
