About: Presidency calling

POLITICS, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Indian politics, is a huge case study in poll arithmetic. It challenges all the rationale of permutation and combination, Domino effect, chaos theory, game theory and yet will give you reason to feel stumped after you have contemplate it all. I will be really happy to read the inferences of chaos theory as applied on Indian politics. The results would be amazing. However this “President's Election” has a probable Domino effect on Indian politics, could mean the most interesting cabinet shuffle in a very long time.

There would be many who would approach this Swaymwar but there is likely to be only one suitor. There are many in the fray for now I suppose, one of them is a nuclear scientist also an ex President, one of them is Marxists and an ex Speaker of Parliament, one of them is ex Governor RBI, ex Deputy Chief of Planning Commission, ex FM. Could be a prospective ex PM too. Thats, Dr Kalam, Comrade Chatterjee, PM , Manmohan Singh. It is an excellent topic of worthwhile discussion and last twenty-four hours seem to be a kaleidoscope of political patterns. Each pattern a combination of ones judgment, favourites and prejudice, A great game of bluff is on play. I am not aware of the dark horse or sponsored ponies who are yet to be in the race. But there is more than what meets the eye when you look at Mamta and Mulayam's announcement. It may seemed they step aside of Congress diktat or did they read congress script is anyone's guess.

Fathom this, MMS as the President then we have vacancies for Vice President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, Governor, Chief Minister, the whole supply chain basically. What is humorously not being missed is Clown Princes sound bytes! The vent of election is at an interesting phase, the economy has been painfully bought to a standstill, the market has discounted this fact and will dip on every occasion when it doesn't find happy triggers. The aspirations of basic privileges (earlier read as needs) like food, clothing and house are at an all time premium, at least for the ordinary  voter. The delirium left behind by counter productive Congress misrule is for everyone to see & feel but only the ones who have buried their heads in Congress lap fail to see the light. They see the mirror and wipe it only to know it's not the mirror that needs the cleaning.

The General election are in 2014, could happen sooner rather than later, Congress has done enough that if people come out and vote, Congress will find it hard to digest the number which may follow. The problem is BJP. There is an adage which says an organized minority is majority in politics. The organization of BJP at least seems to be sans discipline. This election is for BJP to loose. They must believe that elections are around the corner, or that 18 months is the most distant milestone ever seen in politics. The fact that a Nehru family member has not been in power for more than twenty years (officially) is one reason for this perceived move. A man subservient as MMS is hard to find harder to replace. Pranab Mukherjee too would be wondering what may he opt for the President or 7 RCR. The Congress leadership may not want to give up power and seek further up climb to the coveted post of Leader f Worlds largest Democracy and in charge of cemetery of un paralleled scandals and feuds known to subcontinent. The News anchors are busy spinning the roulette, it may stop anywhere they will always shout, we told you so. They are doing their bit to add fancy variables to this very relevant case study in Chaos theory.

The other surprised invitees are the regional parties, there are at least two to four parties in every state, like of NC, SAD, SP, BSP, DMK, AIADMK, BJD, RLD, RJD, JDU, JDS, SS, NCP, and other wanna be who will play there part. He fact remains tat congress under Sonia is better placed then when it was in pre Sonia days. A lot of regional parties will look to swamp this delicious cake where there are lots of indulgences on offer apart from money and power. The only problem is because of Congress has affiliates in each of those regional parties and they will be served a very heavy and delicious buffet for their votes. They may have to prove their honesty. An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought. Attributed to Simon Cameron. Its no mean task.

A lot of drama is being played in this impromptu drama with character busy fiddling with their costume. A boring political one dimensional politics has suddenly given way to a very interesting sub plot. I am sure that there is more to come as different stake holders find different means to meet their ends. Welcome to the land of poll arithmetic.

About: UP State elections

Elections time in the five states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa. The mould (here, the ballot) is casted. Among a lot of mud slinging and finger pointing, the dead beat of time of verdict is growing louder. I think Swainathan Aiyar, columnists of Swaminomics in “The Sunday Times of India” he got is just right, election predictions are more entertainment than enlightenment The news channels are over board and perhaps the elections result may dissolve in the colours of Holi. He elections are one of the events in which huge hysteria is created.

Pretext

The best things Supreme Court did was to ban exit polls till all phase of elections are complete.

UP & not away.

The state of Uttar Pradesh is surely a gateway to New Delhi. A party which can consolidate its base in UP will surely find keys to forming central government. But thats easier said then done. A lot of turmoil in UP results national turmoil. It's the heart of Hindi belt a crucial crooks call UP home.

UP finds itself fragmented between the affluent and the poor, corrupt and the honest, the influential and the desperate, the sagacious and crooks, neta and the babu and not to forget the different factions which are inter & intra sub classes such as religion, class, caste, sub caste, subtle class etc. All these factors brings Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle so applicable to electoral mathematics. Its advisable to read more about Heisenberg's principle and other related issues on the Net. I have all but any answers on this subject.

While the other states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand may bi a bi-polar contest, what makes Up is the multi polar contest and in this state of population of more than 200 million. If UP was a country it would have been the fifth largest country (in the world). The well opinionated and multi faceted populace of this state are a miracle in this self. They have more than two opinions on everything. You ain't seen anything till you have been in the by lanes of a Muhluk or a Sehair. My grandfathers and grand mothers hail from here. I cant call it home but then UP is all but a distant memory within me. I do have a connect to that place.

A political log jam of last twenty years or so, seems to have ram shackled the state. UP has given most prime ministers to the country. The most powerful woman in India represents a UP constituency in the Parliament. But having said that, the sher expanse of land mass and populace seems to be a tough burden to carry. The implementation of policy seems a big issue, so is lack of accountability. Its tough to not get bored and over burden and add to the slide of the state. UP needs a leader.

The Nominees.

There are many in the fray. Mayawati, the incumbent Chief Minister has seen the state doing well and pocketing some label success. It has also helped deepen her own pockets. She is perhaps the only administrator of any region in the world who holds the record for unveiling her own statues. She seems to rule with an iron fist. She marches on like an elephant. It is the choice between her megalomania and council of crooks and corrupt people would have to exercise their choice. She may be just stake the claim to form the government on a wafer thin margin. It is a likely scenario.

The next in the fray is Mulayam Singh. He is a toughen campaigner and ex chief minister of UP. His tenure hallmark was absolute Gundaraj where might was only right. He is another proponent of casteist politics. He is the self proclaimed shoulder to set the under developed minorities (here Muslims) free (of what no one knows). His son has given Rahul Gandhi a run for his monies. No one know though for how long Rahul Gandhi may run. Mulayam is the dark horse especially if the chances of post poll alliances emerge. Both Mulayam and Mayawati parties are susceptible to crumble is the other party wins a landslide victory. I am not sure if Mulayam getting elected would be the best thing for the state of UP. It will benefit him though as most of the energy would be spent on speeding of white lining of the court case files which find Mulayam finds his name in them. He may put every effort to replace his name and details with that of Mayawati. He is open to the last bidder, but its anyones guess if there would be more than one bidder.

Congress ka haath of aam admi ki gardaan. Desh ka namoon kaisa ho, RahulG jaisa ho. He has done so much for the state (elections) and yet likely to get nothing for his return. There is a queue for people likely to take his place under the Gullitone of public opinion. He should have jumped in UP elections and thrown his hat in the ring claiming the post of CM. But who wants to give up the posh suburbs of Delhi to dust plains of Lucknow. No one, including RahulG. He fact that he hasn't jumped into the poll fray, proves that there is enough doubt in his (top advisers') brains. One has to agree that Rahul has given his everything up his sleeve including the grandfathers trick of appeasement. Its a shame that things are doled out for Muslims (not that they shouldn't) but continuously marginalizing the majority. I dont know how does problems of poor of one communities differ from poor and needy of another community. Its starting of a vicious circle resulting in the feudal society we see UP as today. Rahul Gandhi 's acumen and mettle and prowess is on tests in these UP elections. I am not sure if he has visited other states for campaigning. Rahul Gandhi was ably assisted (?) by his sister and rags to riches Robert Wadera, more commonly know to many as India's Jijaji.

The inhuman treatment of Bab Ramdev and the utter stupid episode of Anna Hazare would have shied away the staunchest congress support to opponents camps. These two factors, Baba and Anna are itching to haunt Congress. The earnest efforts of systematizing corruption hasn't exactly come to RG's assistance. I mean how can he diffrentiate corruption at the center to corruption in the state.

Congress and BJP have been marginalized to a large extent especially compared to the national extent. Congress has been reduced to nothing. BJP holds fort but need to put in effort to bring discipline and organization. These are a must if any hopes of forming a stable government at the center have to be rekindled. BJP should learn the lessons of these elections and apply those in the coming elections and turn the tables on other political parties.

Least likely scenarios.

These following scenarios are just for laughs, take them seriously at your own peril. dont tell me then, OK!

Maya wins with thumping majority and start expecting West Bengal like news from every nook and corner.

Netaji AKA Mulayam wins, give a winning speech which puts MMS to sleep. The return of the goons from cage to road. Utter nuisance.

It will be interesting to see if BJP + Congress gets enough seats together to form a government, BJP should come out and claim support to the Congress let government. Ever heard a stone and two birds?

I wasn't sure that congress would get more than 50 seats. Its purely Rahul Gandhi's efforts and Mayawaiti's madness that can contribute to a dozen seats to Congress. The aam Congress – meaning rich goon would be happy if Congress has enough seat to make sure UP is politically an unstable region. They would then use it to leverage their political will and the wheel of corruption would start spinning faster. Congressi would be praying that it doesn't decline to negligence. Thats the best case scenario for those guys.

If Mayawati or Mulayam dont get enough seat you will see lot of rats swimming out of there respective ships and try to align themselves with opportunities that let them indulge. It would be the direct result of these conclusions and then 2014 general election will seem further weakening of these parties.

The other states.

The gross corruption and organization of other parties on ground in rich State of Punjab, Utaarakhand, the far flung in turmoil Manipur and corrupt and inept state of Goa will prpobably invite equally intersting scenarios for post poll blogs.

About: Godhra & other shames

Benjamin Franklin said once “There never was a good war or a bad peace.”. Today is the day when some chose to remember Godhra riots, the most skewed coverage, misrepresented riots in the recent history. Its like judging the book by its cover. If one has to analyze an event or occurrence one must giver equal weight-age for both the cause and the effects. It is evident that, the effects are discussed while the causes remains brushed under the carpet. The power of TV is to project and image add to it the power of sound and precision of a script. Congress ridding on this piggy bank of media house and “excellent coverage” managed to create a political avalanche and come back to power. The Prime Minister who was bought to power served in the name of (Party) President, also played a regent to rather obliquely successful prince. This is also one of the reality of post Godhra riots. The rest is collection of bigotry and scams we have lost all account of whatever logic and pragmatism on which our political system was supposed to be envisaged.

Yes Godhara in its cause and effects horrendous The affected people deserve justice at the earliest in accordance to the law of this land. Its is innocence till proven guilty. Then painting someone as being guilty with the colours of ones own imagination must stop too. It is also worthwhile for all the stake holders do understand who benefiter with the riots. India has lackadaisical record of riots of all kinds. Godhra a was the last one played out to the media and the news of the event has kept the event itself, alive. We all know the inclinations of all those channels who like to call themselves as free, fair and balanced.

I dont think Godhra riots following the burning of the ill fated rail coaches should be looked in isolation. There is need for us to look into other various riots, like the ones in 1992 following demolition of Babri Masjd, which was obviously followed by Mumbai serial blasts, if you want to jog back there were riots in Bhagalpur, which doesn't finds its mention in the official records, there were anti Sikh riots following India Gandhi's death in 1984. These are the major ones,which are used to primarily whip up the dust storm during elections only to mislead the electorate, only to extend political gains. Its a scavengers ploy really.

On the ground how do the challenges of roti, kapda, makan - food clothing and sheldter for a poor indivial in one community differ from individual of any other community. Isn't it a shame that millions should aspire for a privilege of earning two square meals a day? Gujarat meanwhile is trying to move, the picture is for all to see and debate. The fact is it has highest per capita income for individuals of minority community is little to debate, the income continues to grow.

Godhra riots for many proponents of equality and political righteousness is an attempted diversion from their own pathetic performances and repeated deeds of mis-governance and denying the electors a right of decent fulfilling lives. I mean there have been worst riots than Godhra, then why does the humanity has to wake up on call of Godhra alone. The other riots I am convinced were for better ment of humanity and hence a just cause. There is no point listing the names fof other riots, after all it's not a hall of fame. It's our social ineptness and hollowness of will to bring social justice in general. No one is above law. You may love or hate Modi for whatever he has done or claimed by other to have done, the fact that he has won two assembly elections, with better majority and there is nothing that SIT has done justify his silence and underscores the claims who seek his blood. If there was some evidence, SIT formed by SC under aegis of a Congress government should have found it in 10 years. What SIT has done remains to be known, but the leaked reports doesn't find Modi guilty.

Now it brings to focus the intentions of people who painted him with colours of their imagination, if the people have voted him back to Government, if Supreme Court funds nothing against him, shouldn't they accept they made it up and move on. The Media are the powerful tool in the masters of power, its very easy to mould public opinion to your advantage using TV. Any case you keep repeating the same thing in different tones and you have a newly dressed truth shall step straight out of our closets. A deeper influence free introspection is called for. Muslim have for long been pushed and shoved and maimed and forced to believe they should be insecure here. I see them doing well and worthy of their success, shouldn't they send a stern message to politicians that they deserve better than just be a card in the pack of politics.

Godhara has been a tragic event, but why is it the only one which is discussed so extensively, should we remorse and looking back at other communal or other kind of sectarian form of violence which have shaken the foundations of our democratic republic. Todays if u look back at riot victims if any riots, their condition remains susceptible to future horrors. We all have learnt by now that, riots sow seeds of further dismay and horror while little is done to get them justice, further less is done to provide them opportunity to climb up the ladder of social well being. There is a huge interest of keeping poor people poor and make sure they remain oblivious to opportunities of social and economic growth. The victims of riot are never able to come out of that dark shadow. India should today look back at all the past riots, including Godhara to have a better social policy in place and a very independent Police and Judicial mechanism so that justice is neither denied or delayed.

Its time for people to give up a few tears and look at the benefactor and the beneficiary of these induced riots of mayhem. Politically influenced riots will be a major challenge for any country. But is a strong deterrent should be maintained and rule of law must be upheld at every instance at all costs. Its upto us to find the truth and not only relying on horror stories in print or television media as a “source” of truth to decide upon true and false. Why is there no equal condemnation of other riots that have or take place? Why are human misdeed in other state make it to news. Is Muslim “suffering” limited to state of Gujarat. Why is Modi being withc hunted? Which politician hasnt created some form of riot to consolidate his position? There are many more questions to be unanswered. There is a need of social awakening which ensures development of are society as whole.

About: Iron Man & Iron Lady

It is amazing how history concocts and intertwines dates of epic proportions. 31 October has entries for two such persons. One a reputed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India Sardar Vallabhai Patel and the other being the third Prime Minister of India, Ms. Indira Gandhi. Today’s date marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and death anniversary of Indira Gandhi. A lot of all that is  good in India  as we see it today can be attributed to Sardar Patel and the other can be attributed to Indira Gandhi. There couldn’t be two such diverse personalities who have such impact on India in particular and Indian sub-continent as a whole.

The Iron Man

Sardar Patel, Iron man of India, cometh the hour cometh the man. The self made man, been there done that, the master mind visionary and statesman, Indians equivalent of Benjamin Franklin and Bismarck. He provided the shoulders of a giant on which many a dwarves stood. He accepted Gandhian philosophy but not always accepted the Gandhi topi. His role in Indian freedom struggle is exemplarary. His vision of India, especially after winning the freedom balanced Nehru’s idealistic beliefs. If his words were paid heed to, Kashmir would never be in a state of fix. Pakistan gained upper hand of simply because of naive Nehru. The auspicious date of 15 August saw multiple challenges, horrific one at those, there were riots is many place of the country, Punjab remained tense for sometime, the merger of states, the largest of its kind in the world, the Pakistan attack on Kashmir with Pak regular army soldier in guise of tribals etc. These massive violence and horrific events raged across the sub-continent from Lahore to Dhaka. The British contributed handsomely to these problems.

Sardar Patel, the man with virtues and integrity of steel, resolved and guided the young nation through tough times, as though a grandfather guiding a pram. The merger and amalgamation of Indian states and princely domains itself is a case study for disciples of management, statecraft, diplomacy. I think there were more than 500 states dominions, princely states that were merged into what we now call as Union of Republic India. Operation Polo, in which, the then State of Hyderabad was merged into India, a unique Police action of its kind in the world.

It had to be a resolve of steel and Iron man of India often got it right too. His differences with Pandit Nehru were increasingly more apparent. India could have done more if Sardar Patel could see a few more years. It feels sad to dearth of such leadership and values in today’s time. I hope the next Indian prime minister has intellect of Patel, the dare devil Bose and the vision of Gandhi.

The Iron lady

Indira Gandhi was killed on this day. The Iron man was Sardar the Iron lady has to be Indira Gandhi. She divided Congress and formed Congress-I. That wasn’t her claim to fame. Indira tenure as Prime Minister has many things to be proud off – Atom Bomb, Bangladesh War, and Green revolution. Then there are not so good things, Emergency, Blue star, Nationalization of companies, poor, short sighted almost stymied economic and domestic policies. These are to be discussed with few that too in hush tones. She induced the culture of sycophancy in the Judiciary, government establishment, and Congress I. The effects are pretty visible till today.

She didn’t lead the government, she ruled with Iron fists. I think lot of what good that she did in her life was short lived. The bad, she left behind has a more ever lasting effect. Shimla Agreement fiasco, Emergency, split in the congress, almost an exalted sycophancy that was breed and meritocracy was sacrificed ensuring bad prevails in Cong, for eternity. There was reports of mal practice in her election, there was the court case, the Honourable High Court of Allahabad declared her election null and void. India saw her first and hopefully last emergency. The corruption that we see today, especially at higher level of so-called government can traces it's root back to Indira Gandhi.

India politics will take a long while to give up bad effects of Indira reign as Prime Minister of India. There was a few things which I like though, the Bangladesh War, where she outwitted Americans and Pakistani establishment. It was the best of the best from Indira Gandhi, the peak of her achievements. If only she would have thought of more prudent economic policies.

It is safe to say though that Indira Gandhi held her own among her contemporaries. I say this for reasons good and bad that there may not be another Indira Gandhi.

About: Tough time and straw men

Does history repeat itself? There are many philosophies that believes time (read history) is cyclic, I mean everything in nature is cyclic. But it keep moving forward, dynamic like a bi-cycle rather than static like treadmill. I wonder what kind of parallels would one find if we were to compare Bahadur Shah Zafar and Dr Manmohan Singh as head of the governments. Bahadur Shah Zafar and Dr Singh both ascended the throne of Delhi. They both were excellent in what they did, Zafar as a poet & Dr Singh as an able Economist. There is very little in merit even after much contemplation about the days when they were in power. They did nothing and could do very nothing then merely being vassals. I find always interesting to interpolate what if, It gives very gruesome and often symptomatic solutions.

Zafar’s reign extended to a couple of by lanes beyond the four walls of the imposing Red fort, Delhi. This is still in dispute though. The poet Emperor died far away in alien land pretty much incognito after the First War of Independence in 1857. Zafar was defeated by an English Officer, his Seal and Sword were gifted to the Queen. The frail and out dated Emperor was sent off to Rangoon, Burma. He claimed himself to be a Sufi and all the glory of the Mughal Dynasty was a feeble self by the time Zafar ascended throne. The servants doubled up as courtiers and subjects. Zafar mean while remains a mere bookmark in the pages of history, the end of his reign official marks the end of Mughal Empire. After 1857, the English crown overtook the reigns of ruling the then India Sub-continent, from the British East India Company. He died in exile wailing for wanting to buried in his land. He was one of the leading poets of his time along with his contemporary, Ghalib.

कितना है बदनसीब “ज़फ़र″ दफ़्न के लिए, दो गज़ ज़मीन भी न मिली कू-ए-यार में

roughly translated to -

How unfortunate is Zafar! For his burial, Not even two yards of land were to be had, in the land of his beloved.

Dr Manmohan Singh reign as ( the longest care taker ) Prime Minister of India has been marred by political indecision and blunders. The ministers are as good as courtiers of a king who has lost it all. There is no doubt about Dr Singh the mid-wife of India Liberalization, Narsimha Rao was the father and compulsion of fractured mandate and politically fickle environment was the mother of first and till date only set of reforms that Congress had to take, if they had to be in Power. Dr Manmohan ascended to the throne of Delhi and before him the Prime Minister from Congress before him were either too idealistic (Pandit Nehru), too morbid (Indira Gandhi), too naive (Rajiv Gandhi) or too good (Narsimha Rao). The Congress itself underwent changes, the nationalist party which fought for freedom, increasingly saw their core getting precipitate to left wing communists to right wing groups. Indira Gandhi's morbid hunger for power saw doing some truly bizarre moves signs of desperate autocracy. Congress was dead as Indira went on to mould the faction of Congress just around Emergency that she led. It is just like Zafar the post, Dr Singh’s qualities as a economist seem to inspire confidence while his inability to lead and claiming helplessness as an alibi only generates more angst and disbelief.

Dr Singh tenure as Finance Minister was good thing that happened, just like Zafars poetry. Zafar’s poetry or most of his has been lost. It seems amazing now that in what kinda of economic environment we had to bear with. Dr Singh greatest qualification for which he was chosen to be a worthy Prime Minister, his qualities of being a genteel, unambitious demeanor and obedient. He didnt have any political heir to leave behind his legacy for, a perfect political pawn.There is little proof if any if Dr Singh has a grip of politics of the nations or the politicians in his cabinet.I for one thought, Indian population was a very big number a Billion and counting. The scams in last couple of UPA government have dwarfed that population count. I mean how easy it is to get convinced that the Government simply didn't knew. The governments don't run that way.

Between Zafar and Dr Singh, Zafar had no one to answer too, Dr Singh is not allowed to answer. It would be be too gullible to believe worst is over. Today Indian democracy must summon the its last breath - the will of the people for a decisive mandate.

About: Ma, Mamta aur Amul Baby

The hand that rocks the government ...

Ma, Amma, Jayalalitha will be the new Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu. She has ousted corrupt and nepotistic regime of DMK led by the now incumbent patriarch Karunanidhi. It is interesting to note that Karunanidhi was the one who had ousted corrupt and not so nepotistic J Jayalalitha as Chief Minister when the Chief Minister's seats were last exchanged. The pendulum of voters swings rather decisively in Tamil electoral politics. The past few elections the incumbent have gave way to the new Chief Minister, only to be kicked out by the opposition through the will of mandate. It has been Appa, Amma, Appa, Amma, not necessarily in that order.This isnt exactly the crux of the matter. It is easy to get the hitch, either its Amma or its Appa. While Amma was corrupt, Appa carried that theory home. Among his several wives and more than a few children dear leader lead one of the most money mongering regime, that would have made a (few) Cabinet Ministers literally a run for their monies.

One of the many few factors that lead to a rout of DMK was that Appa kept bringing the family close and started distancing the populace. 2G Scam didn’t help. A Raja the corrupt telecom minister committed two crimes, first he did all the financial swindling, and then he was caught doing it. The first one may be acceptable in accordance to the law of the land, second one surely (probably?) isn’t. There have been few jokes about Appa and his family, those have now gone stale, and the fresh bread is sold along with the news that its Amma will be the rising star on the horizon. Congress has successfully slay one more ally of theirs, Laloo Prasad, Pawar, Communists etc have been Congress allies, all bitten the dust in the last few elections. In the coming months, DMK will be dumped in the bin and tonne of garbage would be further dumped on them. One has to wait and see the court’s judgement on Appa daughter Kanimozhi in the coming time. It will be only fair that she goes to jail.

Its about (now showing) tantalizing drama called 2G Scam; Kanimozhi, if critics are to believe plays one of the Key roles that unlocked the exchequers room and money the money just vanish (snap your fingers to add effect). It is the end of dynasty of sorts; Karuna may not come back again as the Chief Ministers. He is well past the age for a Chief Minister. I am not sure, if kin may stay united to rally and claim power again. But stranger things have happened in politics.

 A few roadblocks ahead.

The other major state that saw election in which voting went on forever was the eastern state West Bengal. Thugs called they, Communists, mercilessly misruled it for more than three decades. They did nothing for the community they were supposedly chosen (heard of mass scale rigging?) to govern. They did nothing for good and oppressed every idea that could have improved the situation. They didn’t even let anyone come forward and do good who was willing to listen and work on peoples wishes. There were Chief Ministers who would enjoy a drink of scotch and puff foreign cigarettes that cost borne by the hapless, their daily bread and dreams of living with dignity. As the times evolved and communist ideology started to disappear into index pages of old cloth bound books and communist blocks crumbled under the weight of reality of the present. Bengal saw like many communist state the bourgeois and proletariat evolved into rulers and ruled. The state paid a heavy price of the ideology of strengthening the party and screwing the people. The party was effectively the Government. They claimed sole representation of the people for 34 long years. One was never fail to imagine the plight of people as people fed themselves with hunger and deprivation into utter poverty. The hammer and sickle ruled the state of West Bengal by atrocities and mayhem that were to mirror the rule of the erstwhile East India Company, only more methodical and more potent. It was during period of the Communists reign that the state of West Bengal found itself down in the list of every parameter representing hope, happiness, growth and development and found itself topping every list of neglect, paucity, disdain and misery. The mindset of people represent an era gone by. This is a mandate for change and hope.

The vociferous and virago Mamata Banerjee has her tasks cut out, may be advised to be in touch with one of her neighbouring Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar, his home state suffered similar fates at the hand of its previous leaders. Mamata has much to do. Their debt burden is increasing, the revenues are thin (if any), the industrial policy resembles a witch hunt manual and the industrial setup resembles a ghost town, painted in ugly shade of red. The scepticism of previous Governments policy will pave way for a better humane policy, will boost (read initiate) growth prospects so every one can add to growth and lead a life of dignity and respect.

Its a rude wake up call for the Communists. I bet no wake up calls are kind, this one is particularly ruled. The Communists have to align their interest with the intention of doing it for the country. It seemed to everyone for quiet sometime now that Indian national interest wasnt enlist their core beliefs. The will of people and nations interst should be core to the politics.

God’s own country, Communists own backyard.

Kerala, God’s own country, legend has it that Parashuram, Lord Vishnu’s avatar threw his angst in the Arabian Sea as a result Land of Kerala (and/or Konkan) came up. Kerala Like its neighbour witness change of government, which swing between Leftist government and left of Center governments. The incumbent is invariably thrown out and government is succeeding by the opposition part. This time around, Achutandan was thrown out. If anyone who don’t know who he is, he is the old rug whose claim to fame was saying, “Not even a dog would visit Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's house.” Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s died fighting Pakistani Terrorists in Taj Mahal hotel on 26/11. He was shoo away from his house though. Anyways sad part to know is that he won the elections. The good news is Left has been routed and left of Center Congress led UDF will be forming the next government. It was hear that the first elected communist government was elected.

Baba’s wave

Rahul Gandhi the great saviour of Congress is now the face of the hand that renders Allies meek and listless. His growing (really?) stature in Indian politics has seen Congress being routed in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Pondicheerry. But to his credit, his great persona did help them win in Assam and Kerala and West Bengal. I cant confirm whether it more to do with his charismatic leadership of decent work by government in Assam, maintain a fragile peace as ULFA has been subdued in Assam. West Bengal for now seems to be Mamata doing and Lefts undoing contributing 50-50 to Lefts rout. He is a future Prime Minister and suppose to have more spine than Dr MMS.

These elections are a brief reflection of what is to come. But for now lets rejoice Ma (read Amma) Mamata and Baba’s victory. Indian politics can now breathe a sigh of release, as opposition will be based on values rather than age-old politics.

About: Long live democracy

If some has to understand how and why democracy strives you can look at the at Indian politics. All things said and done. This was an important election; the result of which we accept and rejoice. This can be seen considering the quantum of steep challenges that lay ahead. This also reinforces my faith in what I feel about trends in how democracies have yielded results over last 10 and more years in Indian states and general elections and results overall.

The for last 15-17 years, there were fragmented verdict given by the voters, not only in India but also in many if not most democracies in the world circa 1991 A.D. I did try and research a few things about that, but couldn’t be much successful. May be I a psephologists or number crunching people are to be consulted. All throughout the 1990s and first half of the decade, what we saw is hung assembly and hung parliament. The 14 Lok Sabha in 2004 was an example, so was the state government seen in Maharashtra for last 10 years or so. If you recall, when Bush was elected it was matter of few votes that were to determine Bush vs. Al Gore or Bush vs. Kerry. I think back to imagine Bush vs. Gore was tighter. In Indian states elections too there have been elections fought in which two or more different groups, and verdict is equally in favour of those, classical hung assemblies, not only in Maharashtra but also in Karnataka couple of elections ago, UP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Goa and many other states. The absolute majority or simple majority was a tough to get no matter what combination you would have selected.
The functional democracies that immediately come to my mind are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, US, UK, Russia, continental Europe (including Scandinavian countries), Japan, Australia, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, bigger countries of South Americas and Africas. I haven’t been able to get the details of how the voting and the verdict trend have been over the past two years. The coalition politics seems to have taken root and know seems to bearing a few sweet few sour fruits.

Even in these elections, if you consider Mulayam Singh, his brother Amar Singh if they extend support, to the Congress Led UPA alliance, we get simple majority. The two states which went to polls, namely Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh, have also been voted into simple majority. The four states which went to the poll earlier this year namely, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh also yielded definite majority so did the state of Kashmir. The election which we may come in future would also perhaps yield definite majority to one particular party/alliance.
The point I would like to emphasis is on the fact the slowly after 1990-1991 fall of Soviet Bloc, first few years many democracies, threw up hung assembly and many governments seem to be in the garb of coalition politics. India was no different. But what I can cay that in last two decades (nearly) we have grew from an economy which was left in tatters and were almost labeled defunct and defaulter, to where we are today, once of the countries not to be seemed to be affected by economic crises at least on the surface although inflation figures have plummeted, but Dr Man Mohan Singh has seen it all and perhaps turned almost cycle as third generation would be likely to be on the anvil provided negligent role Communist Parties and both the opposition and government, being pro-reforms. The man at the helm of affairs started it all and perhaps one of the few people along with Narsimha Rao and Atal Behari Vajpayee who should be given credit for where we are today as a state, nation and democracy.

Why Narsimha Rao? It was the statesman, and the cunning politician who didn’t yield and gave Dr Man Mohan Singh enough advantage to formulate the stepwise reforms he wishes. Narsimha Rao always managed to quash terrorism in Punjab and to the extent North East and for once and all at least bought one of the state from tough hardships to what it is today. Why Atal Behari Vajpayee? Well simply because he continued after a phase of torrid uncertain times, managed a large coalition and continued to reform and disinvest. He also managed to boost India export credentials and almost cornered Pakistan in every way possible. Pakistan seem to be in trouble now, but thats there own doing, if you sow guns, you reap bullets and bombs.

Dr Singh happened to be in spotlight of history when it was time to sign Nuclear Dealer and multi billion-dollar deal that was made possible by a firm Prime Minister and now trouble companies of the US. The challenges that lie ahead include implementation of that deal, the rural employment the loan waiver. That was the government agenda. The terrorism and geo-political scenario need to be paid enough attention. The violence in Lanka, the uncertainty in Nepal and Pakistan. The hostile Bangladesh and the over balance Junta in Burma to name a few.
What I would like to see government on macro policies is to improve upon disinvest, with the present scenario the business acumen incurred in last twenty years, has passed all most all test, so disinvestment is one of the things. The second is rural education and rural health. Education and health would be the need of developing social infrastructure. India needs to spend there more on physical infrastructure as well. The one thing I am glad about it the way Government Institutions have adopted information technology and cyberspace. The electronic voting machines are one example. There were over 713 million people had the chance to exercise their voting rights a few fools didn’t but I am happy for the over all majority who did vote, for example in West Bengal, where Communist are now in the red and perhaps the sign of things to come. The next I would focus more public-private initiative for strengthening democracy. The various laws directly affecting the people like Police Laws which were formed more than 150 years ago. They haven’t changed over the years. The judges ought to be more accountable. Did you know it was compulsory for judges to declare the assets and properties? Also bring in more corporate accountability so that politicians don’t act as if vultures and poor shareholders don’t have to regret buying shares.

If you purely look at the result, The BJP led coalition lost a dozen seats to recede from 130+ to 121, perhaps they were expecting too much and fared badly against what should have been a positive result. Congress meanwhile, jumped to more than 200 seats, a position unknown to them for over 20 years. The messers Communists, Laloo Yadav and Paswan, Mayawati, Jayalalitha are left beleagured and perhaps no more antics for Laloo for next near future. The third front was in anyways not a distinct possibility. The leader of this particular front would think they are hard to please because no one tries to please them. I am particularly happy that Communists have been voted out, they perhaps cater to only themselves have done nothing for the country and in fact left us with very little to work out. I always have felt that they are one regional party not exactly representing aspirations of majority. I also wonder if there manifesto, is approves, deigned printed and shipped from the far off capital of a neighboring country.
There is however a small condition applies here. There are couple of more states like to go for voting and what I personally feel that the political parties know should wipe the slate clean and formulated and realize the situation on the ground.

Blog: Read the following.

The hysteria after 26 November 2008, terrorist attack took less than six months to wilt. All that the people had to do was come out and vote and all they did was enjoyed couple of days holiday (then and now). I thought we all would be voting in huge numbers, a large number of people showed they don’t wanna face either bullets nor ballots. Not coming out and voting justifies neither protest nor appreciation. In fact, it is a form of resignation from the people of Mumbai city. It is the way of saying that we live our lives like animals and we love it anything else is something we don’t seek.

Anyways in the dance of democracy I too did my jig. I went and voted, I did so for the first time in my life. Voting is not a right (ask the people in neighbouring countries) it is a duty. It may not be divine, it may be choosing the lesser evil, it may be something else. But it is one way of saying yes we believe in our ethos, we may be pragmatic, albeit cynical but then it is our duty to be cynical. We all have reduced to mortal being and projecting our rights and neglecting our duties. We have reached a tipping point, people who don’t vote must not cry hoarse and personally people who don’t pay taxes or vote should banished. They are the ones who are the rusting, degrading system that only believe in pointing other. The primal excuse being, it was too hot.
In the bad times, economic, political instability, terrorism, least with which could do was to go there cast or vote, so many ads especially from Jaago Re and all that enticing them to come out and vote, those people who did the Jaago re forgot that people in Mumbai city are moral dead and have they conscious on death support. I guess it was a trend that no one saw coming. It is only the signs of things to come, I mean it is an omen of bad times to come, political stability and economic hardship and tough living conditions for the people of this city. I think we deserve it.

The democracy is dancing alright, but there are a few worrying issues, will the elections in 2009 break the trend of 1989 and 1999, when there was this political turmoil and instability, Indian economy took a heavy beating and weigh down by wrestlers in the political arena? Click on this site to check out the a sneak peak about the history of Indian elections.Only times will tell all indications are towards a hung parliament and a lethargic economy and increasingly stalled state of affairs. If only people come out and presented a chance for a consolidated mandate. The point is, I wont a government to be in majority,but I didn't think it is likely possibility. I think I may have to vote again pretty soon.

I feel one of the reason I have for often being blog blocked because I sense that one day all the Shakespeares, Frosts, Dickens, who have been sleeping all the while will wake up in me and I will write such a post that I will leave all the nominees behind or be the only name in contention for all the literary awards ever won. Magnanimity has limits too. But I certainly believe that practice makes one perfect.Like all things in life, blogging should also be practiced as often as possible. I often thinking about throwing some light on Ads. There are some really good ads featuring on the tele these days.I think the Tata Indicom one was good.Then the crown of lethargy that I wear around every where I go, make me not do things. I should win over some title of aristocracy. Now come on people who do nothing are either aristocrats don't do much except turn the plots in novels and catch the paparazzi napping.

Manna Dey celebrates his b'day on 1 May. He has been an awesome singer and he has perhaps seen Hindi movies from it's infancy to the big behemoth it is grown to today. He has sung some amazing chart busters and still continues to sing and practice with same diligence. There is a story about Manna Dey. His uncle was a great musicial of his times, Manna Dey took part in a singing competion when he was in school, his uncle told him to take part in all forms of singing, there were 10 types of competition on different styles and languages. He accepted and took apart and won in all ten of them. Thats some class.

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning. And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong. You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more. You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises. Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking. (But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!) You excel in: Higher education You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Blogs: Life and times of crisis.

I don’t know what made me jumped on to Google and search for Limp Bizkit’s famous lyrics of that Mission Impossible II theme track while I was checking my portfolio. I like anyone else have been hit but personally for me with regard to my portfolio I am not that worried. I am just counting myself lucky. I go to college everyday 2-3% falls were not tickled the funny bone and just seemed as mundane as flushing toilets. The 5-6 % falls is like a clap of a thunder when you are walking downs the road, with the road is neck deep in floods and you know you are going to see the worst of it. On the other hand if the indices rose more than 2-3 % apprehensions would surface knowing that a next step down isn’t to far away. It is amazing how one year back last Diwali investment in equity seemed something obvious to do, today I stand at other end of the spectrum.

The BSE “tanked” by more than 11%. There were some shares that halved some reduce by 1/3 and so was the remained of the other shares. When the down slide had started not so long ago I was marginally in red. I know a few feet under danger mark knowing perhaps the worst of it is yet to come. Although my losses is not a loss per se I have full sympathy for those small time investor who had families to support and collected marginal some of money wanting to breathe just a wee bit easy. No I am not a big time investor who has minted money big time. But then on a stoic note, this too shall pass. The stupid thing to do would be just see the carnage and not dig into the reasons as to what really went into the making of the the events on the bourses. It is very important as an investor and as a student to know wha exactly is happening so that a better plan is formulated, financial targets are revised.

What happens is when things move rapidly to the other extreme instead of asking for relief from the pain or going mad, you start to enjoy it. If you can’t bear the pain then enjoy it. I know ever cloud has silver lining there are a few positive aspects too. The Great American Dream is turning into a Global Nightmare. Everyone remembers the Tsunami that hit Asian shores on the fate less day of 26 December. This one is perhaps of peoples negligence, folly and intentional. I asked my Finance Prof for reasons for the turmoil. I think he expected it coz before I completed my questions, he answered Greed. All subsequent questions answered, he moved on to his cup of tea and I took a break for a hot plate of Samosa.

I am no finance wizard; I am hardly good at anything besides blowing bubbles inside a bubble while chewing a bubble gum. It is fun and like most things I learnt to do it accidentally, I haven’t done this, it is something simple to do, I hold no monopoly claims over it. But let me say this, it is not disgusting it is an art. Those who make a shoo away face, are just being unappreciative.

There has been a lot lately about Marxism and Socialism. There was something on IBN’s website about Marxism, which compelled me to download Das Kapital. I still have to read it though. But then people have tendency to write off when things just slip or wobble. I know the current scenario is more than a wobble. I have a resentment for socialism/Marxist theory. I think it will lead to more corruption. No, democracy isn’t free of corruption and I think that democracy needs some corrupt/violent elements. It ensures that we are patient towards other and then it also provides us scope and urge to move forward though.

I don’t know what Jinnah thought of legacy. I wonder what Nusli Wadia thinks of legacy/inheritance Nusli Wadia’s maternal grandfather was M.A Jinnah. But I think Raj Thackeray is a worthy successor. Jinnah divided the country on the basis of Religion while Raj Thackeray has gone a set further; he is busy undermining the country on the basis of Region/Language. The poor and need will remain hapless while self labelled educated liberals stand for the cause of Mr Raj Thackeray. He is busy creating a platform for the coming elections in Maharashtra. The Congress-NCP coalition has a tacit agreement with him, perhaps Mr Raj Thackeray would want to cover a few more bases coz Congress can pull you down before you say I. He will obviously cut into votes for BJP-Shiv Sena coalition that’s what the tacit support from Congress is for. While Congress has sequentially dumped their political allies, Mayawati, Laloo Prasad, Communists at times Mamta, NCP soon perhaps. I see Congress winning the next general elections and I hope they do it on their own as coalition politics has been a bane of Indian politics. I just wish to see a single party rule again. I think I am not worried about the growth part of economics, I think coalition serves interests for short term and politicians just support each other so that they can scratch each other back.

The courts should exile him for like 5 years to some bewildering village in North Kosi district in Bihar and ask him to do his community service there. But since he is rich, yes he has a few hundred acres of land in this city of Mumbai where land rates are on top of the world. He doesn’t have to worry about his present assets perhaps he want a few more and there is lot more on offer if he manages to cut into votes bases.

After seeing such turmoil all round, I guess things that have already happened and will happen, I haven't waited for Diwali with such eagerness. Tough times dont last tough people do.

Football is on, Chelsea vs Liverpool. Liverpool is one of the reason I have shifted my loyalty from teh colour blue to colour red. May the best team win.
Liverpool win one nil much to my delight.

About:Future Tense

Will they wont they? The political parties, Congress and Left are like couples who signed their divorce agreement and settled the alimony before deciding to get marry. The Congress to their success are ruling in a minority government and people mandate was vindictive. The political scenario is so appealing that parties like Trinamul Congress, Assam Gana Parishad are thinking what to do and what not, although they just have one and two seats respectively in the Lok Sabha.You know there are other political parties as well, like Samajwadi Party.By the way Left rules the state of Bengal and doing so for some time now and Congress sits in opposition.

Look who is smiling.

Left is hell bent on pulling the plug on their own life support machine. I dont think it will give them anything. The chance our they would lose the seat which they already have, Indians gets another general election to practice their voting rights. I can just pray that the mandate is a bit more concrete this time around coz the coalition politics is ruining the country I agree that they have not their ministers in the government by calling itself an "outside support" and twisting their the Governments arms at every turn, but marks to the Congress for dishing it out whenever and wherever they could. But Sonia Gandhi is smiling no doubt. The government falls a hoarse cry about enforcing election a bit of sympathy wave. If only they were a bit tough on security and terrorism their policies are similar to that of BJP/NDA or vice versa. I think she would be really pleased when the government falls. The Congress will play their card well and hopefully will do everything to get a "Coalition Free" first time in over two decades. It is a must going forward in this century. The problems are getting inter-twined. But Congress seem to have time their political foray just right and all most always find opposition clutching straws

BJPs predicament

The plight is the reforms process being stoped, has been a big jolt perhaps bigger then the N-Deal. A deal which BJP/NDA initiated and now finds itself in a position where they find it hard to oppose this deal and harder to support it. If elections are forced in they should find it hard to support it, guess opposition parties just know to oppose. There should be something to oppose. I think the BJP/NDA combine will continue to do well in states, regions, they have just won in Karnataka, may loose out on Madhya Pradesh. They swept Gujarat and Congress was dumb founded they had nothing against Modi whatever they could do Modi was one up for it.Plus like it or not the state of Gujarat is head and shoulders in every respect above the other state. The other "competitive" state Maharashtra is bearing the burden of a coalition politics again courtesy a fractured mandate. It would be interesting to see Maharashtra regress card minus district of Mumbai.It will be a tragic picture to look at.The district of Mumbai should be made a special economic zone, free of hackles of politics. The city in general is wise and patient enough to charter its own progress map. The elections for state assembly are nearing too.
Raj Thacekray may dent a few BJP-SS votes but the fantatistic politics of hate, fear and terror wont go far.

Singh is King.

Maluyam Singh, Amar Singh, Manmohan Singh, Rajnath Singh, pick a Singh to be the king.

The brunt of this showdown is borne by the public on streets and companies on Dalal Street as the market due to negative and nervous cues is hell bent on diving to every days yearly low.It has tanked by almost one third of its previous all time high, taking share price to less than their prices almost an year back.

Just to raise a toast.

I have completed three years into blogging. Its obvious that I never imagined I would, but I always want to keep ranting through my cricket blogs. I must say to this all, although this may be a feed to cricket updates to very limited few, it is not only about cricket. I may have refrained from posting many of the blogs, and deleted them half way though writing them just not to make this place vitriolic. I refrain from saying or doing anything which makes people refrain at me.
I love the idea of being able to communicate it gives we a great joy. I think it balances my right and duty of a netizen and in a very minute part as a citizen of a thriving Democracy. The Blogs give me a reason to blog as well. I love changing my blog templates I crave for more templates, I hope Blogger and Googles reading these line. I think I will continue to blog for as long as I can.

Long Live Blogging.