The Prime Minister's resignation drama was a noutanki at its worst.

The resignation did not betray even a slightest hint of remorse. It was obviously designed to shore up the unity of this opportunistic conglomerate called the National Democratic Alliance. The message is loud and clear to the NDA allies: if you want to continue to loot the country and share the spoils of office, then accept Vajpayee's leadership unquestioningly.

Having achieved the immediate objective, the Prime Minister went on to make a brazen defence of the PMO by stating that it had no connection whatsoever with the latest UTI scam. It is clear that the gigantic fraud committed on the country and people would be sought to be brushed under the carpet. By offering his resignation, the Prime Minister sought to deflect attention away from the beleaguered finance minister Yashwant Sinha, who is singularly accountable for this massive loot of people's life-long savings.

Political histrionics apart, Vajpayee would do invaluable service to the country and its people by quitting. On every front, the only hallmark of this government is its singular failure. In the sphere of foreign policy, they have reduced India to a mere appendage of US interests. The incompetent and inept handling of the Agra summit brought out the true worth of this government. In the sphere of internal security, while the situation in Kashmir continues to remain intractable, by its own unwise acts of brinkmanship, this government has worsened the situation in the North-East. Innocent people continue to pay the price with their lives for this government's follies.

In the economic sphere, the Vajpayee government has virtually mortgaged the nation. At the same time, it continues to impose greater burdens on the common people. Starvation deaths, distress suicides, unemployed youth being driven to despair -- have become common place. Public assets are being sold for a song. Legal protection and structures are being created to facilitate the loot of the Indian people for the benefit of Vajpayee & Co., hangers on. It was a journalist who openly admits his closeness to the ruling BJP that coined the description of the PMO as `RH' positive. `R' standing for `Reliance' and `H' for the "Hindujas"!

The sanctity of the constitution is brazenly transgressed by violating the federal principles to suit the political interests of the NDA. The RSS/BJP is patronised in their systematic effort to saffronise education and re-write Indian history. Communal outfits are encouraged to spread poison and hatred against religious minorities. Every single arm of governance is sought to be penetrated by communal elements.

One can go on listing the grave damage that this Vajpayee government is inflicting on the country and people. The National Democratic Alliance has truly turned into an alliance of national disaster. Vajpayee may have withdrawn his resignation. But for the sake of the country, the people will ensure that he would be forced out of office. For the sake of India, i.e., Bharat, this government should quit sooner than later.