RAJASTHAN-Princes, Yes Capitalists, No


AT the time the DMK decided to combine elections to the State Legislature with the parliamentary poll, the reasons for the party's desire for a needless fresh mandate were fairly evident. Ka- runanidhi wanted to consolidate his hold from a position of strength rather than face the risk of the imponderables that could emerge over another year, particularly with a stronger Central Government less vulnerable to regional pressures. Election prospects were not clear then but it did look as if Karuna- nidhi would pull off his bid for a fresh term, if with a reduced majority.