Comments on: India Elections: The final countdown

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:30:31 +0000

If those polls are reasonably accurate, then it looks like the UPA will eventually form a government with the Left and some of the Fourth Front and small fry. While there’s no love lost between the UPA & the Left, the communist parties have been consistent in their opposition to the BJP for years, so I trust them to do their best to keep the NDA out. And having a few extra seats from the 4F would give the UPA some leeway in their inevitable squabbles with the Left, though it’s unlikely to be much. Hopefully they’ll both have learned from their fights in their last alliance.
Of course, the Left & 4F would drag out proceedings for as long as possible to milk the UPA for everything they’re worth. Anybody care to predict how long the horse-trading will carry on before we have a government?

By: Abhijeet Das

Abhijeet Das — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:02:19 +0000

Yeah that seems to be the likely scenario. The main issue I have is with the electorate;
they are too short sighted, myopic and have ridiculously short term memories. The Kandhahar incident may have happened on the BJP’s watch but there was not a soul in Parliament who stood up and objected to the way our then BJp Govt resolved it.
That’s not to say that I want the BJP to come to power.GOD NO.
AND I HAVE LESS THAN CONTEMPT FOR ANYTHING THE LEFT SAYS, DOES or DOESNT DO!!!
Look out for the ladies though, they will tilt the balance (literally as well!!)

By: Devjyot Ghoshal

Devjyot Ghoshal — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Thanks Vijay. Yes, I got the number wrong on the voting front. It’s an electorate of 715 million and 50.4% voted, so it’ll be around the 357 million mark. As for the hijacking, it was in tandem with the Taleban but yes, mainly undertaken by Pakistan-based terror outfits. Corrections made.

By: shawan sen

shawan sen — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:10:44 +0000

I certainly believe that when it comes to state-wise prediction made by NDTV, they have clearly gone wrong with certain states like Madhya Pradesh etc.This election is surely hazardous for all the political reporters and the punters. However, I would still like to plunge into the “prediction drama” and give Congress around 154 seats. No prediction as to who will form the government. Enjoy the Indian Political League.

By: Vijay Bhalaki

Vijay Bhalaki — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:19:30 +0000

Lucid analysis! A very comprehensive and objective picture of the political race, unmaligned by rife speculation. Few trivialities which I thought may be rechecked before asserting in this article:
(i) The no. of votes = approx. about 50% of 714 million.
(ii)IC 814 was hijacked by Pakistan based terrorists from outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and L-e-t.

By: Shine Jacob

Shine Jacob — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:41:16 +0000

The stage is set. Now it’s up to the “political pimps” (I don’t know whether it will be defamatory) to decide. Political parties are keeping their cards wide open as the countdown begins. Though, bookies and gallop-polls are betting big on UPA, last-minute backstage dramas will change the game.

By: Krish

Krish — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:33:28 +0000

I think it will be a catch 22 situation obviously for the left. The chances of Congress led alliance or that of led by BJP assuming the power are more.