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We normally wouldn’t pay much heed to Spanish polls when we have our own magnanimous election machinery in full swing. But nothing proves the election pundit more wrong than a series of devastating rail bombings that altered the entire political balance in the country in a jiffy. Occurring mere two days before the people went to the polls, a series of three deadly bombings aimed directly at the Madrid rush hour crowds literally crippled the Spanish morale and sent the government scurrying for quick explanations. But fully aware of the obvious Islamic linkages to the attack, the government dilly-dallied with its ETA Basque theory for a while, irking the already irate populace.
The Socialist Party found itself in a windfall and in power after the ironically named Popular Party was blamed for the mess in Iraq and kicked out of power. The war issue was alive and kicking much before the blasts occurred but the magnanimity of the event hit home when casualties rose in Europe’s worst terrorist strike. The angry population, already vocal in its opposition to the war promptly held the ruling party responsible for making Spain the unwitting target of Islamic militants.
Why am I harping on Spanish elections or rehashing what everyone can read on other news networks? It is simply to highlight the impact of a single event that can virtually upset the applecart of carefully planned election strategies. We might have had seen a different result, even far less people turning up for the polls had the bombings not occurred. No amount of damage control is possible to restore a semblance of order when chaos reigns supreme. Can similar events be foreseen in the other two election exercises going on in the world right now, namely the United States and India?
It is being widely speculated that Bush is stashing away a captured Osama bin Laden only to accidentally reveal him in a dramatic capture sometime in late October to boost his electoral chances. Although highly preposterous, his capture could virtually seal the win for Republicans. But given the current workings of the Bush Administration, public trust is at an all-time low and nothing is considered impossible.
Similarly on the Indian front, the current India-Pak cricket tour is considered a high risk political gamble by the ruling BJP. If everything goes smoothly, BJP will leave no stone unturned to cash on the improved relations between two erstwhile warring neighbors. But if anything untoward happens, the “feel-good” factor can vanish overnight and India will shine a little less. There can be number of unpredictable events that may occur in this Olympic year.
Never underestimate the power of the unseen force.
by Patrix | on Monday, March 15th, 2004 at 1:43 pm | 
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