<img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/jul/dilli.jpg" align="left" border="0" />Dilli is watching with glee the discomfiture of the usually high-sounding Red bastion. The knives have been out for CPM general secretary Prakash Karat for some time, but the revolt of the apparatchiks is now gathering steam. Much introspection has taken place since last year's parliamentary elections and the more recent drubbing in municipalities by Mamata Didi's Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Yet, though the recent politburo meeting in the capital was ostensibly to introspect on the Left's fall from grace, it merely highlighted the already well-known differences between hardliner Karat and the central leadership on one hand and the party's leaders in West Bengal, especially chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on the other. Given the widening faultlines within the politburo, few expect anything cogent in terms of future strategy from the Karat-led Left Front when West Bengal goes to the polls next year. The pressure is indeed on an increasingly isolated Karat to soften his hardliner image. The path to dialectical materialism may well lie through compromise. But is it already too late? Divide and rule Dilli is excited about UK's new Prime Minister David Cameron's state visit to India later this month. In a departure from your regular official visit, Cameron is bringing in several Cabinet colleagues, but who will be flying into different state capitals to meet with officials while Cameron conducts his business in Delhi. It's the old divide-and-rule, as we've known it! While the stated objective of the visit is to undo the 'neglect of India' by the previous Labour government, and to drum up business, there is little joy for Indian NGOs as the UK is poised to substantially reduce its $600 million aid to India. Nevertheless, at the moment, there is a lot of optimism about Cameron's trip, but how it actually translates on the ground remains to be seen. Meanwhile cities across the country seeking US business are already vying to host US President Barack Obama during his intended visit in November. While Mumbai and Bangalore are at the forefront, even other state capitals are not lagging behind in their bid to host Obama.

Asian culture

Dilli is watching with glee the discomfiture of the usually high-sounding Red bastion.

Red fix

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