What is the 'yearning' for? For change. To be rid, at last and finally, of a stranglehold on our nation's life by this ossified thought called Congress 'culture' (sic). The desire is a reflection of great discontent and utter weariness with the present government. It seems to say, though with varying emphasis, that this government represents an entrenched mediocrity. It has no talent because that attribute, being competitive, is suspect; it has no flair because quality is suppressed; hence there is no governance, and because it does not govern, it has become riddled with corruption, like overripe cheese. It has been in office for far too long. That its only purpose and quest now is to remain in office, anyhow. It continues to reflect a mindless pre-occupation with such medieval absurdities as dynastic succession. The image of the present government is that of Adiks and Antulays, representing to all but the most sycophantic of observers, that it is headed towards an inevitable extinction. Until it finally does become so, with maniac fingers it leads the sightless and betrayed body of our country, to God alone knows where. As the government has demonstrably failed then unquestionably the most pressing and urgent task is to replace it. With what? One asks. And that is the other component of this yearning.

Why then the 'pre-supposition'? Reflect here, for a moment, that the question of the 60's used to be "After Nehru, who?". Almost exactly two decades later emphasis has shifted to "After Congress, what?" In the 60's it was taken for granted by the nation, its people, political commentators et al, that however sad the event, mortality being an inevitability, it was only a matter of time before we lost the guiding hand of the tallest Indian of his times. Yet, simultaneously it was also taken for granted that upon his passing from the scene, the question that the nation would face is not whether the Congress would remain, but rather, as to who from within that party would emerge to steer the nation. In these last two decades residual hope about a continued relevance of Congress, in the country's affairs, has been extinguished. Therefore, in answer to the question that is uppermost in people's minds now, there is not more than a suggestion that it is Congress that could continue to offer an alternative leadership. Our quest takes us beyond the limiting confines of this dead thought.