Jaya Ho!.. Karuna Ho!

.....Well this has nothing to do with the posting on Jai Ho which I posted on 18th. This is to do with the statements of Jayalalithaa . There are some interesting aspects to the pre election promises/sops.

Suddenly, she has changed her stance on the Tamil Eelam and has said she would support a separate Tamil Eelam. She did qualify that statement though by saying that this would happen(only) if the aspirations of the tamil people are not met by the SL Govt by ensuring proper devolution of powers.

Even on Sethu, there seems to be a 180 degree turn. She did support the Sethu some years ago(2001 and 2004). However, in the recent years she has indicated that she is opposed due to the damage that would be caused to the marine biosphere. Taking cue from the BJP manifesto, she has declared that she would also exempt the salaried class from IT.

If that is what Madam Jaya has to promise, our friend Karuna seems to be perfecting the art of flip flopping putting many circus artists to shame. One day he says he did not like Prabhakaran for his autocratic ways and yesterday the terrorist group leader is suddenly his friend and not a terrorist! Some of my friends tried to say that this is due to infirmity and may be age related problems. The cause has more to do with the impending elections, Every leader is trying to suddenly become the champion of the Sri Lankan Tamils hoping that this would influence those who side with the LTTE. But it has been proved in the past that the percentage voting shift due to the LTTE is not a major factor at all.

What stands out in the elections both at the level of the national parties and the regional parties is that they dont mind joining hands with any one as long as this is likely to result in power. Even the Congress shamelessly has said that post elections it does not mind joining hands with the left again !! The sanctity of their manifestos would be thrown to the winds and they would bring out a kichadi called "common minimum programme" which pulls back the country from its march towards being a great power. The independents obviously are smart candidates who would like to leverage their power to tilt the balance one way or the other and thus in a commanding position to indulge in horse trading.

Jaya Ho(let there be victory to those with virtue, morality and conscience)....Karuna Ho( let there be mercy of the almighty on this great land)