Clearly, the BJP doesn't want to give much time to the opposition parties to regroup, ... But I think ... the earliest dates could be late April.

He is saying 'I am the only choice, follow me or else, ... He knows that if he goes it's over. There would be some stop-gap candidate and the government would fall within six months.

Ambiguity is Vajpayee's strength, ... His roots are in poetry and literature, and I think that's a big advantage.

While this is important historical information, the major political parties have not made much of it. None of the key players are around anymore. The Soviet Union has gone.

The Congress party is confused particularly in economic decision-making.

They should set a very clear priority for the government. There is such a large penumbra of issues. The party needs to come to grips with the reality that it has to be coherent politically.

Brilliance as an economist is not a substitute for political acumen. To be a successful prime minister, you need loads of political acumen. Manmohan Singh needs to acquire this -- fast.

It's going to be a tense and difficult year. It's a period of enormous confusion, division in the ranks at the very top, and lack of clarity. Where do they go?