As You Sow--

On the 15th of March 2007 I had predicted that by reopening the Pandora's Box of OBC Reservations the Congress might get additional OBC votes in the UP elections, but they would concede the centrist ground to the BJP and CPM.

The Congress didn't win additional votes-- they in fact lost seats in UP. But they conceded the centrist ground to-- of all parties, the BSP!!

I used two exclamation marks because the alhtough the voter ferment was certain, the direction it took was unexpected.And my opinion, (for what it is worth--:-) ) of Mayawati has increased tremendously.Not as a person, but as an astute politician.She sensed the resentment against the OBCs,made an alliance of Muslims, Brahmins as well as her core Dalit support -- and hey presto!Absolute majority in U.P.( For those uninitiated in Indian geography, UP is the largest state in India, with a population of 170 million, which is more than 95% of the countries of the world).

The storm is by no means over-- it has just started brewing.I would be very surprised if too many people who hold a centrist point of view are going to vote for the Congress in the near future.In other words, I believe that the Congress Party will lose some votes at the next General Elections.

Will the damage be enough to hurt them? Wait and watch.You could be surprised!