The Nitish Effect

Call it the Nitish Effect, but post-election Bihar has turned politics on its head. The results rejuvenated a floundering BJP, which seems to have got its mojo back just in time to get its act together in Dilli.

Meanwhile the Congress, despite putting up a brave face (and deflecting flak aimed at Rahul and Sonia), is already back at the drawing board. Lalu and Paswan, all but wiped out, are still trying to figure out what hit them!

If there is one take-away from Nitish's triumph, it is that nothing alchemises elections results better than good governance or even a faint promise of it. Nitish clearly was amply rewarded by the electorate for trying.

The lesson has not been lost on others, most noticeably in Uttar Pradesh, ruled by the formidable Mayawati.

Will Congress brave going solo again with a blunted Rahul as the spearhead? This "chintan" may dominate the Congress "baithak" in Dilli in two weeks.

Chavan's challenge
Para-dropped chieftains are an anxiety area for Delhi's leaders in this season of change. The change of guard in Maharashtra placed a "great responsibility" on Prithviraj Chavan.

Though more comfortable cloistered in the upper echelons of the Congress party in Dilli, Chavan faces, perhaps the toughest test of his career in the hurly-burly of Maharashtra politics, especially in the wake of the Adarsh scam. But the trusted lieutenant believes his lack of baggage will work to his advantage. And so far Dilli has a reason to be pleased.

Chavan's innings as a chief minister may however depend on how he manages the powerful builder lobby of Mumbai, which has been the bane of many powerful netas.

For the moment, the Berkeley-educated Chavan's biggest trump card is his clean image and proximity to 10, Janpath. But how long will this advantage work in far away Mumbai? Dilli wonders.

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