07-11-2008, 10:51 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There cannot be a pre-poll alliance. In a recent interview, Communist Party of India leader A B Bardhan said things could change if they needed to stop the BJP from coming to power. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For these people there's never a pre-poll alliance. Before polls they go out against each other as if they are sworn enemies with ideologies diametrically opposite of the other. After polls as math plays out, all's forgotten and they come together - it'll be under a 'secular' banner to keep "communal" forces out.
I trust that this whole non-confidence thingamajig is pretty well co-ordinated. In Kannada there's a saying "<i>Nanu hodgange madute, nenu teerdange madu</i>" loosely translated - 'I'll pretend as if I'm hitting you and you pretend being hurt'.
If govt falls (which I don't believe it will), Cong goes to poll perceived as (a) victim of a tragic betrayal by an ally and (b) a principled party which gave up power in better interest of nation. It's a message pretty hard to beat - of course 123 deal will be on forefront which average joe doesn't get it or doesn't care. All past crimes of 50 plus months - mismanagement, poor governance, dwindingly economy, rising inflation and the vote-bank politics will be lost in the noise. The timing of this whole thing is pretty darned convenient as the LS term of UPA is almost over anyway. Didn't Manmohan offer to resign over a year ago on this issue?
For these people there's never a pre-poll alliance. Before polls they go out against each other as if they are sworn enemies with ideologies diametrically opposite of the other. After polls as math plays out, all's forgotten and they come together - it'll be under a 'secular' banner to keep "communal" forces out.
I trust that this whole non-confidence thingamajig is pretty well co-ordinated. In Kannada there's a saying "<i>Nanu hodgange madute, nenu teerdange madu</i>" loosely translated - 'I'll pretend as if I'm hitting you and you pretend being hurt'.
If govt falls (which I don't believe it will), Cong goes to poll perceived as (a) victim of a tragic betrayal by an ally and (b) a principled party which gave up power in better interest of nation. It's a message pretty hard to beat - of course 123 deal will be on forefront which average joe doesn't get it or doesn't care. All past crimes of 50 plus months - mismanagement, poor governance, dwindingly economy, rising inflation and the vote-bank politics will be lost in the noise. The timing of this whole thing is pretty darned convenient as the LS term of UPA is almost over anyway. Didn't Manmohan offer to resign over a year ago on this issue?