Barely six months ago the nation decisively voted the Congress out of power, giving the party its lowest tally in Indian election history. The hung verdict of '96 may be open to several interpretations but one message from the electorate is incontestable, which is that the Congress needs to sit on the Opposition benches for the fore-seeable future. Let me hasten to add that the itch to form a government is no crime. However, for Mr Kesri's party it would be if the goal is reached through 'break and take'. If the Congress is so eager to 'save' the nation, it must go back to the nation and seek a fresh mandate.