Completion of four years and entering the fifth and final year in office is the appropriate occasion for stock-taking. By no stretch of imagination can one credit the UPA Government with any extraordinary performance. Lasting four years, in spite of having no absolute majority is perhaps its only accomplishment.

Several are the incomplete tasks that await an absolute majority, the foremost being the Indo US civil nuclear deal. In spite of its best efforts, the mighty Government of India could not ratify the agreement reached between the executive heads of the world's two largest democracies. True, one swallow does not make a summer. But here, there is a huge gathering of swallows.

The Venugopal issue. The Supreme Court had almost said that the Parliament was used to sack him! Is there not a limit to victmising someone, just because you don't like his face? The Government had to take this slap just to please a junior ally.

Similarly, the T R Balu episode. There came a confession that he had used even the PM's secretariat to help his son. The Speaker had to bring the session to an abrupt end, thanks to this and similar issues.

The Government, with all its good intentions could not bring inflation under check. Spiraling prices have made middle class life miserable.

Agriculture, the mainstay of the majority of citizens has recorded just 2 per cent growth. Dismal, by any standard.

Little surprise then that the West Bengal Chief Minister described Dr. Manmohan Singh as a 'failed PM'.

What are the plus points? The foreign exchange reserves have reached an all-time high. But, this is part of the global phenomenon. The Government has tabled the much awaited Women's Reservation Bill in the upper House on the very last day of its sitting. If the tabling itself is an accomplishment, let them be proud of it. They know that this is not going to be passed.

No political analyst is able to predict the mandate of 2009. Even if the Congress alliance scrapes through, it will be more fractured than it was during 2004.

In balance, the Government has been unable to get pass marks..