Election Results

Rahul Gandhi has been bested by Akhilesh Yadav. That is some food for thought.

The trend of decimation of so-called national parties by the regional parties is reaching its logical conclusion. Uttarakhand, where Congress and BJP have done some face-saving and Manipur do not have any say in the party or national matters. Less said about Goa is better. 14 governments in 15 years. There only individuals matter not parties. UP and Punjab have decisively voted for regional parties.

Congress and BJP can write their own epitaphs but they will still try to cobble coalitions, with anybody, to keep themselves in business. But in 2014 where are the numbers to come from?

In AP, where Congress kitty is taken for granted, it is unlikely to get a two digit figure. The Congress culture of toadying to the Family and stunting local leadership has effectively sealed its fate. If the likes of Mani Shankar Iyers bank on Priyanka-Rahul-Vadra combine to give them succor, we can only pity them. There is not a single leader in Congress who can honestly and confidently say he can win an election on his own. That will also be blasphemy against the Family.

BJP's fortunes can only take a downward trend watching the way Karnataka is going. The 'Party with Difference' has simply no new takers and some important allies like JD(U) and BJD may abandon it. It is bereft of any ideas nor can it go back to Ram Mandir. It lost Ayodhya seat! It is just stalemate for them. Sushma, who was dazzling some years back, is just a jaded ghost now. It is not age alone. It is the toll taken on her by politics of BJP variety. She was forced to critics CBI and support Jagan and Gali. What a fall!

MMS and Pranab may be good in governance but are poor vote-getters. also they are increasingly seen to defend the indefensible. Honestly they cant stomach the nitty gritty of electoral politics. Nitin Gadhkari may continue to tumble on dais, but just does not project a national aura. Who will then counter regional king-makers like Jayalalitha, Mamta, Mulayam, Jagan, Badal, etc.

Handy allies like Laloo, Paswan, Chandrababu, Soren, Karunanidhi, etc. are all stewing in their own juice. No advantage from them or to them even if they are willing to ally. Communism of all hues has finally been swept out of India too.

Let us wait for 2014 if not even earlier as there is every likelihood of Didi or Maya or MK or Mulayam pulling the rug anytime.

…ponder