The game is on

'f truth be told, we got our biggest headline of Verdict 2024 when the trends became established just after noon and news broke that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Chandrababu Naidu.

- SHEKHAR GUPTA

Sharad Pawar followed with calls to both Naidu and Nitish Kumar.

We will obviously take the point further and first list the three outcomes that follow. And then, before we go into a deeper analysis of these and other takeaways, list four rants too.

The three outcomes first.

The first, that Indian politics has returned to its default post1989 pattern of coalitions after a decade's interregnum. Second, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Narendra Modi looks beatable. And third, the Congress, with a tally close to 100, has revived. A short break for my rants now.

All those who said India's democracy is dead and buried, over, that we are no-hopers under fascist rule, please sit down, take and drink Kool-Aid. You can gulp a beta blocker with it if you think you need it. But consult your doctor first.

All those who said India's voters are now such polarised, friedin-desi-ghee Hindutva nuts that they will keep voting against Muslims, and thereby for Narendra Modi, please say sorry to the 642 million people who went out to vote in an almighty heatwave. Also check that the BJP is trailing in Ayodhya (Faizabad).