A great profession

Politics is really a great profession. It's the only professional where you can double your investment in five years, something that even the stock market does not guarantee. Just see the affidavits filed by Lok Sabha candidates on their wealth. It's also the only profession where you can become a minister without having any work experience!

The "strongman"

When LK Advani was constantly carping about the "weak" Manmohan Singh, the latter retorted that the BJP "strongman" was weeping in a corner when Babri Masjid was being demolished. Is Advani again weeping in a corner of his house now that his "strong" party has been roundly defeated? We haven't seen him come out and acknowledge the mistakes the BJP made, like the comrades are doing.

Hail the astrologers

Well, it seems the astrologers who predicted that LK Advani would never become prime minister were right. As the results poured in today, the thigh-slapping BJP leaders, who had been challenging the "meek" Manmohan Singh to a wrestling match with "strongman" Advani, were looking pretty glum. Political parties lose elections when they get out of touch with reality and start believing their own rhetoric. The same fate could befall the Congress in five years if it falls into this trap. As for the BJP, it must come up with something better than Varun Gandhi to gain the confidence of the people and show that it can deliver.

Not fools

The Deve Gowda family in Karnataka thinks people and media people are idiots. When HD Kumaraswamy went to meet Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday, he covered his face. His face is well known to media people, and expecting not to be recognised was idiotic. Then, he explained later that he had not covered his face but was wiping sweat of it! How stupid does he think people are? Such politicians cannot be trusted.

In father's footsteps?

Some days ago I wrote about Varun Gandhi praising his father, and how that may not be liked by the BJP brass. His latest remarks, perhaps indirectly supporting his father's sterilization programme during the Emergency, should make the BJP leaders squirm even more. Of course, Varun later denied supporting sterilization.

Rahul baba and Priyanka beti

In recent interviews and press conferences, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi displayed great maturity. Priyanka's interview to Barkha Dutt was exceptional, and she revealed a side that is normally not seen. Rahul baba also has become very confident in the way he handles the press.

Beware

The BJP has been crying hoarse over black money stashed abroad, and is demanding the government get names of the account holders. What if the BJP finds that some of its own supporters from business and industry are on the list? Will there be a quick turnaround then?