Minus the Plumage

THE vote in the Lok Sabha on the motion of confidence in the BJP-led government has been notable mainly for the Telugu Desam Party's last-minute decision to support the motion, the TDP's not wholly unexpected action will no doubt reinforce the shrill accusations against the party, which were first voiced when earlier this week it accepted the BJP's offer to support one of its MPs for the post of Lok Sabha speaker, that it has betrayed secularism. Supposed defence of secularism will, it is clear, provide the cover of respectability for much wheeling and dealing by political operators and much unprincipled crossing and re-crossing of political and ideological lines in the weeks and months to come. However, the issues raised by the TDP's recent actions have very little to do with secularism.