Gandhi Gives Up Bid to Lead India

A terrible news. The hard liners in India, the conservative nationlist parties like the BJP and its alliances would surely feel gloated.

But the chaos surrounding the recent Indian election probably is not over yet.

``I've been informed that Sonia Gandhi is considering the position again,'' said Somnath Chatterjee, an elected Parliament member from the Communist Party of India-Marxist. ``There are rumors that her children are against her becoming prime minister, maybe because of security reasons.''

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, son and daughters of Sonia, could be reluctant, perhaps scared after what had happened to their father the former Indian Prime Minister Rajib Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi years ago. The funamentalist Hindu groups are adamant in their opposition of Sonia's premership, and there are bigots who could be security problem.

But still it is sad news, Sonia could have provided good leadership considering the amount of support she has in her Congress party.