Politics..the abode of strange bedfellows

There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. Indeed, this is the game that makes for strange bedfellows. The recent polls in Maharashtra seem to prove this point.

The BJP and Shiv Sena, who had an acrimonious pre-poll divorce after 25 years of cooperation, are ready to join hands once again due to political compulsions. Indeed the BJP is being courted by the NCP too, who have had rather vocal differences in the past due to their (supposedly) different ideologies. There is a flurry of activity and the usual bartering activities are going on full swing, to make use of the political opportunity.

This scenario is not surprising given the rise of coalition politics in India in the last two decades. Coalition between partners of very different ideologies has been the political norm rather than the exception.

Where does this leave the electorate? Confused, one would suppose. India is the world’s largest democracy , did we say? Well, probably the world’s largest democratic circus, yes. All we can say is, “ Jai Ho!”