Blinded by power

Any doubt that self-illusion is pure bliss? Ask Haryana BJP leaders, who have been forced to come to terms with reality after having touted themselves as the next ruling party. The BJP polled an aggregate of less than 10,000 votes in three Assembly constituencies where by-elections were recently held. The “potential” ruling party finished fifth in one constituency and fourth in two others. A former Lok Sabha member of the BJP summed up the state of affairs: “We have two members in the state Assembly, but five chief ministers-in-waiting.”