There is nothing new about V.N. Gadgil's advocacy of a pro-Hindutva line for reviving the Congress. Last November, in a note to Sonia Gandhi, he had peddled the same dubious formula, arguing that the description of the BJP and RSS as communal and fascist "hardly makes an impact on a majority of voters (to whom) fascism or communalism does not convey anything sinister." This time, he has criticised his own party for wrongly believing that if only the Muslims return to it, the party will secure power since such a turn of events will fetch no more than 18 per cent of votes, leaving the remaining 82 per cent of "Hindu" votes beyond the Congress' reach. That a veteran Congressman can seriously argue ... on these lines is in itself an indication of what has gone wrong with the party.

... It is clear that Gadgil believes that the end justifies the means. If fascism or communalism can fetch votes, why not opt for them? Similarly, he adopts a remarkably cynical arithmetical approach to votes. Since the Hindus constitute a majority, pander to them and get to the seat of power. There is no mention of any principle or ideal ... But ... unconcern for ideal Gadgil's suggestion is flawed even on purely practical grounds.

.. If the Congress today tries to take a leaf out of the BJP's majoritarian strategy and ostensibly woos the Hindus, it will ... strengthen the very adversary it hopes to-outwit. For why should the voters opt for an imitator when the genuine article is there?

Gadgil is right in saying that the Hindus cannot be "ignored". But that does not mean that the minorities can be slighted. The point is that a party in a multicultural society must not distinguish between citizen and citizen. It must cater to the common good, neither appeasing any section nor discriminating against another. It is only the pursuit of an even-handed, non-sectarian policy which can ensure political success ...