The mantra in both the Left and the right now is 'introspection, discipline and unity.' It is precisely these things which are lacking in both.

What is the problem with both the parties? The similarities are quite interesting. They face a leadership crisis. Secondly, the parties do not seem to know the way ahead. Thirdly both parties are targeting their top leadership for the present situation.

For the Left, the election results ended their dream of becoming the king maker. The Left was humiliated as it was routed in its strongholds, West Bengal and Kerala. While Nandigram and Singur agitations had caused the West Bengal defeat, the fight between Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and Kerala CPI(M) chief Pinarayi Vijayan was one of the reasons for the Left defeat in Kerala.

The infighting started in 2006 when Achuthanandan contested the assembly election after initially being denied a ticket. Achuthanandan then went on to become the Chief Minister. The frequent fights between the majority faction led by state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and the other faction led by V.S caused a major embarrassment to the party. The CPI(M)'s central leadership had even suspended both to enforce discipline but to no avail. The party, which held 19 of the 20 seats from Kerala in the last Lok Sabha, won only four seats this time.

The relationship between the two hit a new low when Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai on June 7 gave his nod to prosecute Vijayan in the Lavalin case. While the party leaders lashed out at the Governor's sanction, calling it 'politically motivated', Achuthanandan said that the Governor had done nothing wrong. The CPI-M has only itself to blame for the adverse impact of the Lavalin case as Pinarayi Vijayan was power minister at that time. The politburo has to walk the tightrope, knowing that while Vijayan has complete hold on the organisation, Achuthanandan commands popular support beyond the party. Achuthanandan has called for introspection at all levels. The two options before the politburo are to ensure that the two leaders declare a truce and work together or replace both of them. Two of the politburo members from Kerala, Ramachandran Pillai and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan are getting ready to become the Chief Minister.

As far as West Bengal is concerned, the red citadel is crumbling slowly. With stalwart Jyoti Basu not active at the state level, the Chief Minister has become more powerful. However, his policies are being criticised by his own party. There are differences between him and Karat. After Singur and Nandigram, now it is the turn of the Lalgarh where Maoist violence has gone beyond the control of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. The CPI(M) is worried about the Assembly elections in 2011. The Trinamool-Congress combine has given them a jolt by their stunning victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

The problem for the CPI(M) is that it does not have stalwarts like EMS Namboodripad or A.K. Gopalan who were towering personalities. CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat is a good man but unable to establish his stamp so far. Some now question the wisdom of pulling out from the UPA last year on the nuclear deal issue. Also, the third front idea did not click because the time is not ripe. What the CPI(M) needs is strong leadership which would make the party stronger. As far as ideology is concerned, this is also under discussion. The need of the hour for the Left parties is to move on and be in step with the changes happening around the world.

Even within the Left Front, there is no bonhomie after the poll defeat. The Communist Party of India (CPI) recently blamed the debacle of West Bengal 's Left Front in the Lok Sabha polls on 'some blunders' of the state government, including the manner of land acquisition for industries. The Forward Bloc has always resented the big brother attitude of the CPI(M). Unity should be maintained if the Left wants to be relevant.

Similarly, the BJP too is facing internal squabbles and infighting. There is a demand to discuss whether Hindutva, the basic BJP ideology, should be followed or not. Interestingly, on June 20 and 21, the BJP too would do some introspection for the party's defeat in the polls in its national executive. The BJP too is facing a leadership crisis. The second-rung leaders are throat blaming one other for the party's debacle. Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani, who has lost his voice after his 'Jinnah Secular' faux pas, is unable to control the second-rung leaders who are fighting to take over. Gone are the days of unquestioned compliance with what Vajpayee and Advani wanted.

Besides, BJP President Rajnath Singh has not proved to be a powerful figure even after being the party chief for three years. There is confusion in the party's rank and file as the leaders fight among themselves for power and positions. The BJP needs to sort out its problems and ensure discipline. It is always good to have chintan baitaks but there should be results, too. (IPA Service)