The D-day for democracy: Who will form the government?

Tomorrow India shall awake, to witness the world's largest democracy results leading to probable government formation. Exit polls unanimous shows that there Will be a hung verdict and no party getting absolute majority and this is totally on expected lines. UPA does have an edge over NDA in terms of numbers as per the exit polls and also the alignment of potential allies.
All the parties are in hectic parleys with their potential and existing alliance partners, while the smaller parties taking an ambiguous stance over their preference.
Nitish Kumar has played the "special status to Bihar card" at an opportune moment, to which Congress has immediately agreed in principle. jayalalitha is still to open her cards, whether she will be with third front, UPA or NDA, but her agenda is simple, she wants DMK out of Tamil Nadu. SP-RJD_LJP will in all probabilites side with UPA, as they don't have much options.
It will be quite interesting to wake up tomorrow and see what future holds for India.
As there have been innumerable instances when all the predictions have gone for a toss, and the biggest of political pundits, have not been able to predict the mood and pulse of people.

Was US waiting for Taliban to regroup?

Well, the way Talibani forces were wreaking havoc in Pakistan at will, always made me wonder, how come US is a silent spectator? Pakistan made all efforts to placate Taliban, which included allowing of Sharia to be implemented in SWAT valley. All these measures, truly emboldened Taliban and made them come in open, with a sort of arrogance seen during Afghan days. Be it attacking the sri lankan team or attacking Pakistan police training academy, it seemed, at one time that Taliban was on the verge of taking over Pakistan.
But, things changed dramatically, with zardari's visit to US, and announcement of further aid to Pakistan. The pak army suddenly got into action, and news reports shows that 1000's of talibani militant's have been killed.
Even, the so called place where Pakistan had agreed on autonomy to Taliban, was pounded by air force and tanks. Taking the Taliban by surprise. The emboldened, Taliban are all in the open, and are putting up a tough fight against Pak army. But, the truth is no war against a civilized government can ever be won by a militia.
It makes me think, was it a master stroke by US, who were throwing the bait of autonomy for Taliban to regroup and then smoke em out, (famous saying of George Bush Junior) by playing the pak army in full force against them.

Zardari has openly admitted that Taliban is a monster created by CIA and ISI, I only hope that in future its a lesson for countries creating monsters for short term gains.

Nitish-Modi sharing dais: A conflicting signal

Personally I have nothing against Mr. Narendra Modi, I find him to be a great administrator, who has done well for the development of Gujarat. All the corporate honchos, have hailed him as the perfect individual for PM posts, which has been endorsed by even select BJP members.
However, on the other side, his perception, is also that of a hardline hindutva personality, who has been held allegedly responsible for the godhra riots, by a large part of population.
Nitish Kumar, had not allowed Modi to canvas in Bihar, and this was openly admitted by Mr. Advani. To win over minority support, Nitish, did give a stern signal, that no hardline religious insinuations or campaign would be tolerated in Bihar. BJP, owing to the influence Nitish wields readily obliged. Bihar was one place, where the star campaigner Mr. Modi did not visit.
I am sure this did appease a large part of the minority populace, who are inherently inimical to Modi.
But, just after the end of the voting in the state of Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar, visited ludhiana, and shared dais with Modi, which made big news and was the headlines of all the news channels.
As there was much speculation on Nitish's visit to that place.
This did give laloo and Paswan a rare chance to take snide at Nitish, saying that the latter has shown his true colors, once the voting was over.
I feel Nitish's presence as an alliance partner and sharing the dais is not really a big deal, keeping in view the alliance, however, it could give a conflicting signal to a large part of minority voters in Bihar, as the timing was just too close for comfort.

Congress could be laloo's nemesis in Bihar

Laloo's snubbing of congress to form alliance with his long time detractor Ram vilas, might prove to be RJD's nemesis in Bihar. My own analysis based on talks with people on the ground, which shows that all the congress candidates standing in Bihar, starting from sadhu Yadav, are making a dent in RJD votes. Take for example Sadhu yadav in Bettiah, he has truly given BJP an edge there, as Sadhu's supporters are all erstwhile Laloo's followers.
Laloo's move to snub Congress was more because of expediency and "Real Politics" , but I feel it has not really paid off the way he would have wanted to. Today, Laloo who was seen as the staunchest supporter of Congress, has lost his credibility in the eyes of Congress. The fact Rahul Gandhi, appreciated Bihar's development, is a point in case, that Congress, would not really mind aligning with Laoo's staunches enemy--Nitish.
Politics has strange bedfellows, and we can only keep our finger crossed on enmities and friendships.
But, I feel that Laoo's move to leave congress in Bihar, might prove to be a costly gamble!!

Nitish Kumar gaining national stature

I am actually elated to see, that the CM of Bihar is being alluded to for all the right reasons. Nitish Kumar, has silently hogged the limelight, be it Rahul Gandhi insinuating about good role Nitsh has played for Bihar's development to Advani accepting that Narendra Modi, did not canvas in Bihar, because of Nitish's request.
Nitish has been consistent in his support to NDA, but, his significance in forming the national government, is being looked on by all major political parties. Nitish's policy has been such, that he can never be an out caste for any party wanting to form government at center. His stance on not bringing the star campaigner of BJP, Narendra modi, so that it does not hurt Muslim sentiments, goes on to reflect, the significant role and power he wields in Bihar and on his alliances.
I am sure that Congress will leave no stone unturned to get his support for government formation if need be, overtures are being already made, be it sacking of Veerapa Moily, from being a congress spokesperson, for his anti Nitish tirade.
Well time will tell, what really comes out of it, but its good to see, that at a national level, someone from Bihar is being talked about for all right reasons!!
A wild guess, can Nitish, be a PM contender??????????????

ICC masterstroke on ICL

Earlier in my blog I had written that if ICL does not do something drastic it will be on ventilator, and predictions are coming true. IPL, through ICC has played a master stroke of providing amnesty to all ICL players, who want to get back to national and international cricket. Media reports shows that it has come as a reprieve to a lot of ICL players who got stuck in the ruck of ICL.
Seeing the popularity of IPL, most of the ICL players have realized that to be popular and really be in cricket you have to align with the masters and owners of cricket, i.e. ICC and top of it BCCI.
Mr. Chandra's masterstroke of creating alternative cricket, though a great strategy. has virtually come to NIL. Well, he can't be truly blamed, in cricket what is seen and appreciated sells and ICL sadly lost on both the accounts. At least this move of ICC will bring in a lot of unsung heroes into play!!!

E-mails should have Nominees like bank accounts

A passing thought, with greater dependence on web, in terms of communications, and sharing of personal thoughts. I feel, if a person dies, without sharing the password with loved ones, should the loved one's be given access to account or not? This is very debatable but with e-mail accounts becoming more popular than bank accounts, should we not have a system, where in like banks, email accounts should have nominees?
I feel there should be a system, contingent on account opener to nominate someone, in case something happens to the person. At least the individual should be given the freedom to choose nominations. In case it's a dark secret or too personal too share, the secrets should go in the grave. But what about people, who want others to know their thoughts, and will be more than willing for some one close to have access to it.

I feel that nominee options should be given on all account openings, making it truly optional. A great business opportunity for companies wanting to get into e-mail business, with some USP:)