Left, Right & Centre

For years AS Dulat, as the Chief of India's external intelligence agency RAW, and General Asad Durani, the head of Pakistan's ISI, would have plotted to undermine each other's organisation. There would have been nothing friendly about this process - both Dulat and Durani were clear about their jobs and would use any means necessary to get the job done. Which is why the last thing you would expect would be to see them together on this programme after having written a book together called 'Spy Chronicles RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace'. It's been put together by the journalist Aditya Sinha, who is also with us. When this project started, Gen Durrani apparently said "no one would believe it even if it was written as fiction.'' Well, it has been written and provides a first hand account into the workings of two of the world's premier spy agencies in dealing with the biggest national security issues that affect India and Pakistan - Kashmir, not least among them.

Janata Dal Secular leader HD Kumaraswamy makes it clear to his newfound ally the Congress that they must not harbour any hopes of getting the Chief Minister's chair. The hard bargaining begins. Round one may have gone to the allies but just how stable is the JD(S)-Congress marriage going to be?

Petrol and diesel prices both touched an all-time high as state-run oil companies passed on four weeks of relentless rise in international oil prices to consumers. After a 19-day hiatus when fuel prices were kept constant ahead of the Karnataka elections, fuel prices are currently on fire. Are oil taxes just too big a cash cow for the centre and for states to see any downward revision at all?

The final say on who will form the government in Karnataka is far from over, even though BS Yeddyurappa has been sworn in after the Supreme Court allowed that to happen after an all-night hearing. At the same time, the court said it was preposterous for the government to suggest that the anti-defection law, which prevents horse-trading, doesn't apply to the present situation in Karnataka. Meanwhile, the Karnataka saga is now spreading to other states. The Congress will meet the Governor in Goa and Manipur and the RJD will meet the Governor in Bihar with the same appeal: we were the largest single formation during our elections, why has the BJP been allowed to try and form the Karnataka government first and why were we denied?

In less than 24 hours from now, we will know who will form the next government in Karnataka - the BJP with support from whoever it is that they can get support from or the Congress-JDS which stiched together an 11th hour alliance after hitting out at each other during the election campaign. This is after the Supreme Court rejected demands that the BJP be allowed to prove its strength on the floor of the Karnataka Assembly two weeks from now. The court also rejected demands that there should be a secret ballot.

In a high voltage political drama that unfolded through the day, Karnataka governor finally invited BJP's Yeddyurappa to be sworn in as chief minister late Wednesday evening. This on a day which saw almost an action replay of 'Operation Lotus' where both the BJP and the Congress-JDS combine jostled for power in an all too familiar spectacle which has been seen in state after state.

Four years after Sunanda Pushkar's death under mysterious circumstances, the Delhi Police filed a 3,000-page chargesheet in which they say Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor, her husband, abetted her suicide. The Congress party says this is a witchhunt by a government out to get Shashi Tharoor, who tweeted that he will contest the charges very strongly.

The Panchayat elections in West Bengal are marred by horrific instances of violence - 11 people are dead. People are burnt alive, shot and bombs are thrown. Poll agents are traumatised. And people are caught in the crossfire. The Trinamool Congress says it used to be much worse in the past. The BJP and the Left say democracy has been killed in the state.

After the Karnataka exit polls predicted a split verdict where Janata Dal Secular chief Deve Gowda could emerge kingmaker, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said while he is willing to stay on in the hot seat for another term, he would step aside for a Dalit candidate if the party high command so desires. The comment is being seen as a sign of the party considering the possibility of a split verdict and anticipating the demands of Janata Dal Secular chief HD Deve Gowda, who has no fondness for Mr Siddaramaiah. Are all parties looking beyond 15th May now or could Tuesday still throw up a surprise?

In a decision that many hope reinforces the independence of the judiciary, the Supreme Court collegium has decided to insist on the the promotion of Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court. The decision of the Collegium comes after Law Minsiter RS Prasad had rejected Justice Joseph's promotion amidst reports that the centre was trying to get even with the Justice who had struck down the imposition of President's Rule in Uttarakhand in 2016. Now, Justice Joseph's name will be sent back to the government but his wait is not over. The Supreme Court collegium will meet again to consider the names of other High Court judges who may be promoted and will re-submit Justice Joseph's names along with others who they believe need to be in the top court.