The critics and analysts are lost high up in the branches and leaves. First, the right approach has to be pointed out. Unless the masses are aware of the implications, they cannot support one cause or the other. The political leaders are not very obliging in this tutorial, and talk down to the electorate, in the name of democracy.

Democracy is still in the ghoomta (purdah) stage, and cannot make public appearances with natural poise. Ad hocism in political priorities takes precedence over long-time implications of political policies which have to be objective. This has been going on for three decades, and still there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Strangely, the feuding parties have entered different tunnels, and are looking for different lights!

The versatility of the Bengalee mind is admirable, but subject to limitations, introduced by over-enthusiasm, and sentimental approach to issues which affect others, if not all. The leadership footprints are small, and our political playing fields lack elbow room for compromise. The current image is: think big, and act small!

Can't we send our overworked politics on a holiday? But political tourism is not developed in this country, and no venture capital or entrepreneurship is available in this sector. Reason? Impatience not willing to wait for the incubation period. This is something else than the 33 years lost since 1971.

Let us discuss this issue at more depth, at lower levels. The problem is that principles and approaches are handled at the expert level only, and the people are not properly briefed with tutorials.

We need a new breed of analysts who are not morally timid in taking a neutral stand, to blast the two major political parties who have since become a nuisance with bipartite quarrels.