Shah Bano moment

Having stood its ground for nearly one and half years and resisting to succumb to the intransigence of the farmers, the last thing expected from the PM was this surprise announcement made on the day of Gurpurab and that too while the matter was very much in the radar of the Apex Court. Is the prospect of losing elections in a state such a compelling reason for abandoning philosophy and giving a signal of weakness to domestic and foreign forces that a sustained pressure by vested interests groups will force the government to capitulate?