Suspect sops
If the Vajpayee government was as committed to the urban poor as its sudden largesse towards slum dwellers in Bangalore, Calcutta, Delhi and Hyderabad seems to indicate, it would have done well to have demonstrated its concern earlier -- or held its hand until it assumes power after being duly elected to office once again.

Bihar versus ballot
Election Commissioner G.V.G. Krishnamurthy is not the first to discover and declare the fact. That Bihar represents a big challenge to the Election Commission has been publicly recognised by other harried occupants of the august office as well before.

Tyranny of the frivolous
The most respected public institution in India today is the Su-preme Court -- respected by the elite and the illiterate alike.

  A bitter wind blows again
  Where consumer isn't king