From correspondents in Delhi, India, 04:32 PM IST

Journalists filled every inch of space that was available in the auditorium on the first floor of the CPI-M headquarters Friday to hear from Prakash Karat his final verdict on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Karat looked grimmer than ever before.

Journalists careened from side to side to catch a better glimpse of Karat. Camerapersons and reporters elbowed each other to get a more attractive profile of the man who was about to spell the doom for the Manmohan Singh government.

In the past Karat would have looked at the jostling, sweaty faces with benevolent indulgence. But the present was full of foreboding, and Karat had lost his indulgent spark.

As journalists' clamour drowned the voices of the Left leaders on the podium, Karat snapped: 'If you cannot keep quiet, we are not going to speak.' For once not even a fleeting smile crossed his face.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)