| For the Congress president 1997 was a tragic year, when farce
repeated itself as farce. On a sleepy Sunday in March, he jolted India by bringing down
H.D. Deve Gowda's government. Eight months later, the Jain imbroglio forced him to unseat
I.K. Gujral as well. Also shattered were an unctuous little man's hopes of becoming prime
minister. As his party withers away, Kesri doesn't need an electoral victory to remain
relevant in 1998; he needs a miracle. |
 "I am not an intellectual but a
humble party worker." |
