Are early elections a possibility? Mamata Banerjee’s decision to withdraw support to the UPA at the Centre has triggered afresh the old debate. The studied ambivalence of the Congress-led regime’s outside supporters—the SP and the BSP—has only compounded the uncertainty. Read more

The presidential elections are widely predicted to be the UPA’s biggest challenge to prevent future erosion of its authority depleted by scams and electoral reverses. But I do not foresee any major problem in the election of the ruling combination’s candidate, be it Hamid Ansari or Pranab Mukherjee. Read more

If the exit polls come true, the Samajwadi Party will either have the numbers or shall be tantalizingly close to the magic figure of 202 to form a government in Uttar Pradesh. Read more

Predicting the outcome of elections in Uttar Pradesh hasn’t ever been as difficult as it is this time around. The four-way fight for most of the 400-odd assembly seats has left pollsters and politicians as much confused as clueless. Read more

Here’s a solution to the political logjam over the Centre’s decision to permit 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. The UPA is largely isolated on the issue. Read more

The media is agog about a larger role for Rahul Gandhi in the Congress organisation. Why now; towards what objective? I’ve no ready answers. If the speculation isn’t without basis, I’d be surprised by the timing of the move. Read more