Editor's Byte

There is a surreal atmosphere in the studios of TV news channels coveringelection 2009. Whether it is the BJP or the Congress or the CPM -- they all livein their make-believe world, or at least in public they pretend that reality andfantasy are one and the same thing. I’ve just returned after sitting fornearly three hours non-stop in the Times Now studio (I didn’t even goout for a bathroom-break), and frequently the spokespersons and party leaderssurprised and astounded me. Happily, no party still claims it will form agovernment on its own, but beyond that the UPA and the NDA maintain they willget a clear majority. 

All this talk about who will align with whom after May 16 is irrelevant forthem. So, when the independent observer (is there any such animal?) points outthat neither the NDA or the UPA has a hope in hell of getting a majority, thereis laughter bordering on derision.  

I can understand what is known as a "public posture", the need to showcomplete confidence so that the cadre and supporters remain engaged. But I oftenwonder if these ladies and gentlemen really believe that they are certain toemerge victorious. 

As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to have an honest and realisticdebate, because as soon as you bring the discussion to the situation as itexists on the ground, the spokespersons of the two main fronts revert to theiroriginal position, i.e. we will need no new allies. 

Of course, one can argue that the so-called independent observer has also gotit wrong. That one of the two major fronts will get a majority. However, I amwilling to put my money where my mouth is. If the NDA or the UPA on their ownget a clear majority, I will take editorial sanyas!  

Tailpiece: The ultimate authority in psephology, the bookie, isalso confused. The rates keep changing every day.