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NT Bureau
New Delhi, Oct 9:

        Hectic activity, most of them behind the curtain, was witnessed here as political parties went on an overdrive —— some in anticipation of a snap election. And some in a bid to avoid that prospect.

        The Left and other parties, despite their outward tall bluster, are trying to salvage the situation by avoiding an early poll. The Congress, especially, Sonia Gandhi, seems to go for it now. Between these extreme positions lie the precarious political balance of the country.

        The Left and UPA leaders again met on the nuclear deal this morning. But as ever, no breakthrough was achieved.

        It is now clear that the Congress is ready for a showdown and preparing UPA allies to exist as a minority Government for a few months.

        Sonia's meeting with President Pratibha Patil yesterday has already triggered speculation that the Congress has firmed up its political gameplan

        The cornered Left Front is now accusing the Congress of precipitating the political crisis. But having taken an extreme stand on the nuclear deal, and the Congress also making it clear that it cannot go back on the pact, the Left have to back their bark with bite. In other words, they must withdraw support. Or typically, in a devious manner, they may not vote on the N-deal if the issue figured in Parliament. But that will not win it any brownie points.

        The Congress seems to be playing the Left's hand, and forcing it to withdraw support. The Congress leadership is now contemplating whether it should dissolve Parliament or continue as minority Government till it was either asked by the President to prove UPA Government's majority or wait for the Opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against it.

        Sources say that the Congress is gearing up for possible elections in February because it has got feedback from pollsters and State units that it should not allow the political instability to persist for too long.

        In a not-coincidental development, the Election Commission on Monday had asked States and Union Territories to be prepared with the revised electoral rolls by mid-January.

        Sources said that the roll revision work was earlier expected to be completed by January-end and by advancing it the EC has sent a clear signal that it is preparing itself for holding early polls in view of the present political instability.