Can Left and Congress align again?

As a answer to an ET debate:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4049709.cms

The left and Congress can have a walk in the park only and only if BJP is lurking around in the bushes. The idea i am putting across is, the politics of anti BJP is the only commonality between these two parties. All earlier Congress + Left coalitions have been only studies in convenience and way for Congress to garner Lok Sabha numbers.

I am not debating that Congress is bad or BJP is. The point i make here is that, being the largest two parties in the largest democracy in the world, Congress and BJP should have an active agenda, a plan for progress, which ought to be shared with junta. More and more, these developmental agendas will decide the fate of political parties in the elections. The case in point is Kashmir, which inspite of being strife torn and terrorism plagued voted for Bijli, Sadak and Paani! After elections, in case of a simple majority eluding the winner, post election alliances can be sort with regional parties on the agenda of development as set before elections already.

As far as the political spectrum is concerned, let the Left be "Left". Personally i dont see any leadership, perspective,coherence and vision in Left. From being anti 123 to Singrur fiasco to Achutanandan's comment on "stray dogs" at martyr Unnikrishnan's house to allegations of corruption, Left has not made any significant inroads anywhere in terms of a vision for a unified and developed country.

As an end note, I was impressed by L K Advani's blogs and website. Its very Obamaesque! Congress and BJP need to take a leaf out of Obama's campaign. Both Congress and BJP will have to draft their developmental agendas with or without the Left.

Subhiksha: A Perfect go Bust (Part II)

When i blogged the first time on the unsustainable business model at Subhiksha (September 5th, 2008), which would cause it to go burst, i had not imagined, that i will be doing a second blog on that story.

This is the First Blog Link:
http://newspaper-posts.blogspot.com/2008/09/subhiksha-perfect-go-bust.html

6 months later, my predictions are born true. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4053575.cms
http://www.livemint.com/2009/01/30180828/Subhiksha-on-virtual-collapse.html?h=A4

The Interesting bit about Subhiksha's roll out strategy is somewhere R Subramaniam, Founder CEO, also believed that if the retail model didnot live upto his expectations, he had make money on the real estate of the 1000 odd outlets. The Recession and the Real estate meltdown has now seen to it that he wouldnot be making as much money in reselling the stores as well.

I also find the statement by the company official on zero credit being the reason for the fall to be difficult to comprehend. Till not so long ago, Subhiksha had 1/2/3 months credit running from vendors who eventually then, turned off the supply taps. I have been privy to Vendor management systems in Subhiksha to bear out on the same. Subhiksha employees had not been given 2/3 month salaries even during the times of festival months. It has shut all expansion plans in east India! Majority of employees are out of their jobs and demanding salary arrears. In fact the Delhi Head office of Subhiksha has been locked by the owners of the property on account of non payment of the rents!

A convenient bet gone wrong and a business which never ran right for the lack of adeherence to fundamentals. I give Subhiksha another1 month before it goes belly up!

So long Mr Subramaniyam!