PAWAR FOR POWER ? NCP is now trying the successful strategy of TMC. for being noticed and not taken lightly. By nature, Mr Pawar is a heavy weight ,but with one digit M.P.`s he does not tilt the balance .TMC on the other hand dictates terms on the size of its members in the parliament and Legislature Assembly. His seniority in the UPAII is only two general elections apart and he cannot demand credit for his earlier experience in the politics and Congress. He had deserted the Congress party not agreeable to the leadership of P.M. in the person of Ms. Sonia Gandhi with foreign origin. Self preservation and electoral compulsions, shamelessly made him turn to Congress once again. NCP. as the National party is having limited, noticeable exposure in Maharashtra State. It is decimated out of existence in Goa. The home coming of Thackery kids will further spell doom to the aspirations of NCP as the dominant coalition partner. His threat of resignations is to be seen, whether he will carry it out to its logical end or back track with alibi of mollification by the powers that be.Congress is basking with the new found ally of S.P. for number game ,but that does not mean that NCP is sidelined already. It is a mere conjecture on the part of NCP. The NCP is commanding two very important portfolios in the cabinet and that is to reckoned with, proportionately with their strength. It is pure assumption, wishful thinking and absurd that he should be considered as number two in the coalition partnership, wherein Congress is a dominant partner and others are equally supporting with larger strength True, that so far NCP has not been demanding, but has faithfully stood by the UPAII ,but now cannot register a point of not being consulted or sidelined. The DMK , which has lost two portfolios in the cabinet due to corruption issue. are yet to be reinstated in the cabinet, but they have not put gun to the UPA II or put up a price for supporting the Govt. , Whatever respect NCP, had, as the coalition partner, it has frittered away the goodwill, advantage by their brinkmanship on their unwise step. The argument that TMC. with its antiques of sulking, threats has been treated with dignity all the time is not correct The TMC has retracted with heavy heart its stand on Presidential election is to be taken with a pinch of salt as an escape route, to salvage its pride Not supporting their own man from the state and for the first time would have had an adverse effect and backlash through cross voting, undermining her authority. In the end it is position and power, all that matters. Principles and righteousness can take a back seat with unreasonable, unconvincing, childish tantrums at this level and at this stage with pin pricks The Congress will not deny NCP the necessary politeness with dignity to assuage their feelings. but will ot succumb to their threats Mrs Sonoa has displayed her resilience to withstand her grounds. Out of power will further erode their prominence, as many seasoned politicians have fallen by the wayside into political oblivion. NCP should not stretch their relevance beyond the point of elasticity, demanding a pound of flesh Nelson Lopes Chinchinim