On the eve of counting day, one exit poll after another showed the UPA edging ahead of the NDA. The BJP was quick to rubbish the findings, saying that exit polls were notoriously unreliable and would be proved wrong on May 16. The exit polls were indeed proved incorrect. But unfortunately for the BJP, they had in fact severely underestimated the strength of the UPA.

The biggest loser, though, is possibly L K Advani, who now appears doomed to be the Ivan Lendl of Indian politics, frequently a contender for the holy grail, but never getting it. It’s hard to see him leading the BJP in another Lok Sabha election. His moment has passed. Now, expect BJP’s Gen Next to start asserting itself. There were mutterings even during this election about anointing Narendra Modi as the BJP leader. Such talk is now bound to intensify.

Incidentally, Rahul Gandhi had a big role to play in the Congress’s gamble of going it alone in UP. Now that it has paid off, his political stature will rise by leaps and bounds. Also, he was the star campaigner for the Congress, clocking the most miles and addressing most rallies. True, the Congress has benefited from the efforts of several other leaders and chief ministers.

The UPA has a shot at another five-year term, and Manmohan Singh is not getting any younger. We at ZaaBiz congratulate UPA on their win and wish they fulfill all their promises made before elections.