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Prem,

Ek conclusion was post to banata hai, Boss.

:)

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I was planning to write it today, but I have a column to write for Rediff. Will do tomorrow. :-)

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I guess we all can feel happy today.

For a few moments, at least.

I am yet to see the percentage of vote share for each party, but I doubt that BJP vote went down by a huge margin. This time the vote against Modi was not divided.. because pretty much everywhere in UP, there was straight 1 to 1 fight.

Modi's popularity did not go down. It was united opposition which turned the table.

The fight is not over. But for now we all can rejoice a bit.

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Thank you for all the efforts, Prem.

You've alway written with passion. And balanced it out with facts.

One observation from an old follower: I remember your cricket EOD summaries of test matches which India played in mid ninetees on Rediff. I can see the parallels between the then India team and today's Opposition. And, I can also see that the 'old' Prem is back after decades .. :)

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Thanks much for the kind words. I'm still trying to recapture the ease and voice of earlier writing -- but this is one of those things, cricket/sport being another, where you "get into form" only through doing the same thing over and over and reawakening muscle memory. Hopefully some day...

Be well.

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All I can say is, I am nervously anxiously hopeful and fearful. Lots to hope and pray for if the online media such as DB Live, TCH, Punya Prasun Bajpai and others are to be believed. But recent events including changing of Jt.Secys, extension of tenure to Army CoS, the Union MoE giving some clearance for Adani and Japanese firm to pose for photos on some deal when it's a caretaker Govt., changing of Security Staff at Parliament, doesn't portend well AT ALL. Am waiting to pop either champagne or a blood vessel. Let's see.

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Add to it Shah calling up District Magistrates around the country. Yeah, sure, and none of it is surprising -- you don't expect Modi and Shah, of all people, to go gently into the good night if the results turn against them. But my philosophy is simple: Elections ended June 1. There is nothing to observe, study, think about, in the interregnum -- so I'm back to sorting through an overstuffed mailbox, getting my regular work done, all of that. Around noon on June 4 is when definitive trends will materialise, and that is when I am tuning back in. Keep that champagne on ice - and the BP medication, too. Good luck and stay safe. :-)

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Hi Prem

Am i mistaken or didn't Ram Swarop Sharma pass away in 2021 and therefore they chose Ranaut ?

I mean an analysis of how and why BJP made its selections would be fantastic. As an example , I dont quite understand getting rid of Jayant Sinha ..

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Shit, totally my bad, yes he did pass away in March 2021.

(This particular post on the seventh phase is a warning for self: Besides this error, the damn thing is riddled with typos and a couple of sentences that lose their way midway through. Shit! Comes of not just writing in a rush, but also of not reading back what I have written.)

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Oh sorry, about your larger comment -- the BJP swapped out over 100 of its sitting candidates including those who won by lakh-plus margins. And many of those seats went to turncoats.

Within BJP circles and among some political observers, the word doing the rounds as these lists came up is that Amit Shah (who was in total charge of candidate selection) was building a cadre of MPs who would owe their seats, and loyalty, to him. It stemmed apparently from the belief that Modi would provide the electability, and once elected such guys had nowhere else to go.

Who in hell knows what was in Shah's mind? I only know that many even within the BJP believed this theory.

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Makes complete sense and it's amazing in a span of 15 years Amit Shah has gone from Tadipar to the most powerful man in the country.

What is the RSS's take on this as per your sources ? Surely this isn't good for them in the long term ?

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Makes complete sense and it's amazing in a span of 15 years Amit Shah has gone from Tadipar to the most powerful man in the country.

What is the RSS's take on this as per your sources ? Surely this isn't good for them in the long term ?

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So we are at the end !

It will b e great if you give your seat predictions state wise or region wise nor NDA ( BJP and allies) and I.N.D.I.A. (INC and allies).

It will add to the excitement on the next 3 days !

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I'll pass. 😊 From 6.30 tonight that is going to inundate our senses thanks to TV. No desire to add to it. I meant this to be political analysis, not a horse race. Cheers

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Well, I tried 😇

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