Bad marks for a bad student

Bad students get bad marks: In India on Sunday, Prime Minister (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and his Hindu nationalist coalition had to take note of this simple equation.

The devastating defeat in parliamentary elections in the politically important states of Delhi, Rajastan and Madhya Pradesh amounts to a withdrawal of confidence from voters from the BJP and its fragile alliance, in power for just eight months.

In contrast, the Congress party under its new leader, Sonia Gandhi has made an impressive return to the political stage.

The effect of the outcome on national politics is unclear. The premier should try immediately to win back voters' trust through new reforms.

For its part, Congress will not for now try for power, although it appears to be within reach.

-- Neue Zuericher Zeitung, Zurich, Switzerland