Will Advani be a statesman ?

Television News Channels are predicting the doom of the Manmohan Singh led , nay, prime ministered UPA Government, in the wake of the Manmohan-Sonia's pro-nuclear deal stance vis-a-vis the defiant Left front.

All sorts of arithmetic are being worked out, by television channels, to see how, and if, the Manmohan Singh government. A lot of gyan on 'sacrificing power for national interest of nuclear deal' psephology versus inflation psephology verus other miscellaneous theories are floating around.

If Manmohan Singh, in all his 4 years as Prime Minister has stood by conviction on any issue, it is possibly the nuclear deal with US. Interestingly, the deal was mooted by the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government and the deal progressed until the elections intervened and Manmohan replaced Vajpayee.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not oppose the deal in the manner that the Left does. One means that the BJP has no 'matter of principle' objections to the deal. (yes, the swadeshi sentiments and nuclear deal are mutually exclusive) . THe BJP's opposition to the deal is the traditional 'opposition for Opposition's sake'

With elections due in the USA in the next 4 months, a possible change of guard may fade hopes of the nuclear deal irredeemably.

Lal Krishna Advani, has a golden chance to play naughty politics, topple the government and cause an elections. Hell, he does not even have to play politics. Internal fissions within the UPA may cause disintegration.

Lal Krishna Advani, has a golden chance to play the statesman, and emerge a taller politician. He should place national considerations above short-term opportunistic views and endorse the deal.
If Advani will assure Manmohan that the BJP will vote in favour of Manmohan in case of a Lok Sabha vote (atlease abstain) it will further the nuclear deal, Advani will emerge taller and the BJP a party that keeps national interests foremost.

Why Manmohan is persisting with nuclear deal ?

Manmohan Singh is a good man.

The prime ministership was thrust upon him and he accepted it.

Manmohan Singh is an honest man. There have been cases of moral turpitude amongst his Cabinet colleagues but none dare raise a finger against him.

What is the use of a leader of intergrity if he cannot discipline his lieutenants ? Not much, except a stable government.

Manmohan has tolerated, withstood many a disgrace possibly because if he did resign the nation would be in a political turmoil.
HOwever, Mr. Singh does want to leave legacy, his footprints on the sands of Pokhran. He very badly wants to do the nuclear deal and if there is one cause he is willing to go the full length for, then this is it.

Inflation happens no matter what gymanstic he and his cohort perform, Manmohan singh will not be able to leave footprints on sands od time.

Has Devanahalli done It ?

That is the question. Has Devanhalli done it ? Has Devanahalli done what advisories could not ?

Devanahalli's Bengaluru International Airport has brought the elite to use public transport. The Junta who would turn up their nose and use a personal car or a taxi are now using BMTC buses and Taxipools. Of course, to be fair, new air-conditioned buses are being used by the BMTC. The routes operated cover the city in a broad-brush. The pick-up points are centrally located and have convenient feeder services. Families have stopped visiting airports to see-off or receive relatives.

Another realisation is that the connectivity to the airport is not as worse as it was made out to be (This writer has not visited BIA and this post is based on anecdotal evidence). After the airport was finally thrown open, Bangalore Mirror's (a Times of India publication) much touted Devana yelli ? campaign for better connectivity to the new airport fizzled out. Also, it might proves that if you let people expect the worst and perform better than worst, everyone is happy.

The BIA airport and BMTC together have helped the classes take to public transport. Can this be replicated for the rest of the city ? A mammoth task indeed but the benefits may be manifold.