The Rise and Illusion of Political Kingmakers

This nation of kings/rajas was replaced by the democratically elected representatives but now new political class is emerging all over India. This election has brought up hordes of politicians who now claim to be kingmaker for next government. Every party chief now seem to have become kingmaker in next government or so they claim.

It all started when the communist block leaders claimed that it will be they who will decide who will form the next government and who will be the next prime minister. Since then almost everyday one or the other head of a political party has started making such claims. First, it was Lalu Yadav, who claimed himself as kingmaker for being leader of the Fourth Front and decider of who will be prime minister. Then, it was turn of BJD leader Navin Patnayak, who claimed that he will become kingmaker in next government and it could be any one of his favorites –Prakash Karat or Sharad Pawar could be next PM, hurling more names to all ready overcrowded list of wannabe PMs in this country.

Later, JD(S) chief Deve Gowda felt the need to be in space of kingmakers, though not in condition to play kingmaker himself, Mr. Gowda asserted that his party along with communist parties will play decisive role in next government. Following his footsteps Mr Vaiko perfectly timed his statement with Tamil Nadu reeling under Lankan tamil issue, Mr Vaiko claimed that Tamil Nadu will play decisive role in formation of next government and he would like Ms Jayalalitha to be next PM.

Almost every party, which is in governance or sulking loss of power has suddenly realised that they would be the next kingmaker in Indian politics none the less they fail to realise how narcissist they have become, who continuously fail to recognise not only country’s problem but also to get their politics right.

Alliances and Fronts for Fortune and Political Bargain

As India goes for polls, political parties are vying for electorate and even more for opponent political parities. Ever since alliances gained prominence in national governance, national parties have weakened. In last five years all the national parties, with exception of BSP, have lost their foothold and political might. This political development has made them increasingly dependent on regional parties.

This election, regional parties have gained a new prominence and notoriety in forming alliances some time multiple and confusing alliances. What is more atrocious about these alliances unlike the previous alliance formations like NDA/UPA, is that they have no agenda and political vision for this country nor do they intend to present the electorate with any vision document.

Parties don’t want to emphasize their development agenda as they are totally unsure of which political block they belong to, political parties such has BJD has created totally new political ideological dimension of “center-right-left” party where as NCP and RJD are toying with both right and left. Parties such as TDP, DMK,AIADMK, and numerous smaller parties with suffixes such as ‘lok dal’, “rastrawadi” and “samajwadi” don’t mind which party governs the nation if they get their political cut.

Then there is Communist block and BSP, who don’t mind anything about any political party if they are non-Congress and non-BJP. They have nothing do with the political ideology of such parties if they are willing to support their next government. No body seems to mind even if alliance partners are fighting each other unless their egos are satisfied. In some states BJP/Congress have to beg smaller parties to be allowed and accommodated with a few seats in such regions for promise of backing government at center.

This election almost every political party is worried about future of the party but not the country. Smaller regional parties have no vision for national development and they are not bothered either as their primary interest lies in the cabinet berth and sops for their region. None of them are interest in socio-economic plan of this country for next five years, which will benefit the nation as a whole and will percolate down to every state and region.

Will TechMahindra’s Satyam be Sundaram?

Tech Mahindra has finally emerged as new owner of Satyam, after competing with Satyam’s biggest strategic investor- L&T infotech. Tech Mahindra’s emergence as new owner of the beleaguered firm is good news for all the stakeholders of the firm, but how good is it for TechMahindra? The bidding details are yet to be out, which makes it unclear about how much liability TechMahindra is going to shoulder about Satyam’s past. But, as the bid price of other major bidders such as Rs 49 of L&T and Rs 20 of Cognizant suggests that TechMahindra has over-bid its rivals in its zeal to enter big league.

At the outset deals propels TechMahindra into league of big information technology companies with vast human resources and big clients. The huge clientele base of Satyam will raise the expertise that TechMahindra has, which at present is largely confined to telecom space at present. TechMahindra will also get it hands on vast and diverse human resource of Satyam therefore boosting its experience in handling large clients and big projects.

This vast human resource pool will also be TechMahindra’s challenge as most of its employees will see it as case of reverse merger and plump posting going into hands of Satyam employee because of their expertise. Similarly, some clients will be wary of new owners who have little experience in non-telecom based projects. How L&T plays with its stake in Satyam will also impact TechMahindra’s success on this deal.