In today’s world, public holds the power as long as opinion is concerned where global and local issues play important role in practical leadership. No longer the power or brilliance of the leader decides his/her ability but reading the public mood and in any situation also make the competent leader in public opinion. One of the fine examples of this is Pakistan where General Musharraf has successfully got the support of the USA and President Bush and both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto are being encouraged to fight a controlled election but all this can go up in smoke as the public mood is ugly and the people of Pakistan want freedom and democracy. General Musarraf has political ability and competence but despite support from the West and the Army he has alienated the public mood and faces an uncertain future. Similar situation is in West Bengal. The CM lost all respect, credibility and support by justifying the action and whilst many things which the CPIM say are probably correct they have lost public support and respect.

The increased violence in Assam and in different parts of the country could not be detected as we lack the political will to initiate action. We talk of intelligence failure and the Center and the State keep blaming each other but the real problem lies with political decision making and the resolve to take action. The legal system offers little support with the criminal law system which takes a decade plus to determine cases and sadly many securities forces resort to encounters and on occasions innocents suffer and this creates further complications. Migration from Bangladesh will stop if we deport a sizeable number from Assam, West Bengal and Bihar where the demographic pattern has changed over the years and make our intentions clear for the future. Security forces and the police have done well by hundreds of seizures of guns and bombs from different parts of the country but action against the anti national elements who procured these instruments of terror is very important on our behalf.

The coming state elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and chances of BJP winning both the state elections are very bright. But oppositions are not leaving any chances of media attention and Tehelka or operation sting exposure to change the current public mood to help itself for the coming elections.

The news of banning the movie Aaja Nachle (Madhuri Dixit fame) is also an example of public opinion influence and how it has become the issue for UP government overnight which will definitely bring lot of publicity to the movie and will be a political issue till the public finds other issue.

Public moods or opinions are also influenced by the politics and it is a vicious circle. With plenty of political excitement in the coming week including nuclear debate and other issues, let’s keep watching where the future of politics lies in the public opinion.