Sunday, January 22, 2006

Bangalore, Karnataka Bihared

Not too long ago, Laloo Prasad Yadav's reign came crashing down after his debacle in the state assembly elections. Bihar, notorious for its lawlessness and chaos, seemed to have taken one step in the right direction after innumerable mis-steps. It would be foolish to think we've heard the last from Laloo, the self-appointed kingmaker. Like cockroaches, he has shown the capacity to survive any political outcome of even nuclear war proportions. His shrewdness may be commendable, but the sheer stupidity of the people who propel him into office again and again and again, is shocking.

The thing about cockroaches is that their remarkable reproducing rate allows them to not only outlast, but outnumber anything that can threaten their existence; feeding on virtually everything in their habitat. If its Laloo-roach in the north, its DeveGowda-roach in the south. A self-appointed kingmaker in the state of Karnataka, the former PM has held the state government, now on the brink of collapse, under a tight leash. The humble farmer, as he tirelessly reminds us, has toiled hard to make sure every project in Bangalore is either scrapped, or worse, suspended in time. His excuse? The best interests of the people, of course. Never mind that the voters gave a resounding slap in the face at the recent panchayat elections. Never mind that Bangalore is crumbling, according to every Bangalorean's assessment of the city.

As if his pathetic posturing was not enough, he has set off a whole new political drama. The players: the constantly cribbing Chief Minister Dharam 'cry baby' Singh (DS); the son of the soil Deve 'secular' Gowda (DG), his sons DG Jr.-I, DG Jr.-II.

DS is running a coalition government supported by DG's party. DG, increasingly peeved at not being able to regress Bangalore into a village, decides to withdraw support. DG Jr.-II enters into a pact with the main opposition party (BJP) and claims to have the backing of an overwhelming majority of DG's party. They want to form an alternative government. It is blatantly obvious the sycophants in DG's party wouldn't have the nerve to rebel against the 'man'. Much less when taking sides against the man, in favor of his son. DG is being shrewd, of course. He cannot shake hands with his sworn enemies, the BJP.

The question is whether the people of Karnataka see through this factitious facade or will the ensure that Karnataka is Bihared?

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