Bihar

I do not know of many who don't follow the tumultuous politics of this state. For the sheer entertainment value, it is worth keeping an eye or two on. While Nitish Kumar is being showered with much of the credit, the news channels fail to mention Paswan's massive role. He is being projected as the loser (a distant 2nd). Rightly so, but without his resolute obstinacy (resolute being an intentional tautology) , these elections would not have been possible. Before obsessing with the additional idea of a Muslim chief minister, he has had just one goal. To make sure that Laloo does not return to power. Credit must be given that in a land of political opportunists, Paswan did not budge from his stand, whatever his motivations might have been.

So, the media in Delhi (which includes me) and the others who wanted Laloo to go owe this man's obstinacy a largish thank you. His self destruct mode may bring a sea of change in the state that borders with one I often obsess with. Apparently, Nitish Kumar is known as 'Vikas Purush'- Development man.

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I am often transported to Berlin these day through the rather humourless but well written 'Two Lives'. Recognizing the names of the streets where I once was briefly, is the same kind of lowly thrill that you get when you see Indians in an Hollywood movie.(in the background, not NRI movies of course)

Dhananjay