This Turn By Nitish Is Meaningful

BBC News हिंदी - जेडीयू ने आख़िरी चरण में बदली रणनीति, बीजेपी असहज? : पांच बड़ी ख़बरें https://t.co/0pepOTJHfE

— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 16, 2019

This turn by Nitish Kumar is meaningful. He has not said anything new, but his party's declaration that Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa qualify for a Special Category status by the center is meaningful. There are rumors the BJP is getting less than a majority in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. If that ends up being true, that will be a sure indication the BJP might not come back to power. If those three states gang up and say we will support whoever gives us Special Category status, that would be a game changer. Because that would torpedo the BJP's chances of forming a government even if they are near 250.

Nitish surely is not worried about Bihar. The RJD would be glad to step in should the BJP walk out.

If this is the thought process then that might be an early indication that as Nitish Kumar sees it, the BJP is not getting the majority of seats in UP and Bihar. It has long been said in Indian politics that there never has been an instance when a party lost UP and still formed the government in Delhi.

If the BJP-led NDA is closer to something like 230, it is possible an expanded NDA might demand a non-BJP PM.

Declare Nitish Kumar as PM face, demands JD(U) lawmaker
Nitish Kumar Has Written His Own Sad Twist To His Tale
In Bihar, Nitish Kumar's Party Catalyst For Win: Prannoy Roy's Analysis

This Turn By Nitish Is Meaningful https://t.co/eMVqrlbLOT @NitishKumar @PrashantKishor @JanatadalU

— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 16, 2019

India 2019: The Best Speech Of This Election Season

Granted this speech by Akbar Owaisi is not from this election season, it looks like it might be from two years back, but I watched it only a few days ago for the first time, and so I am going to count it as something from this election season, besides its relevance, if anything, has only gone up. It is a marvelous speech. I hope his party expands to the urban centers of India with this focus on the nuts and bolts of empowerment and development.

Akbar Owaisi has always been very impressive when it comes to delivery. He is a natural. He is the Virat Kohli or oratory in Indian politics. But in this speech what also comes forth is he has thoroughly done his homework. Indian politicians are not known to do that. They simply get up and do the stream of consciousness thing. Here Akbar can be seen going from page to page, reading out statistic after statistic. He successfully impresses upon his voters that their votes are valuable. If they vote right, they can get more government money to show up in their neighborhoods.

I am impressed. I wish Akbar Owaisi the best in the next state and local elections in Mumbai. I think their next target after Hyderabad is Mumbai. They are trying to expand into Mumbai.

Owaisi exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in the way he presents himself.

India 2019: The Best Speech Of This Election Season is by @imAkbarOwaisi https://t.co/ArB2xOLdbW @asadowaisi @aimim_national

— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 16, 2019