It was all thanks to the stars, Stupid!

Well now it’s all clear: The Congress-led government won the confidence thanks to the stars! Late on Monday astrologer M Sivagurunathan, and several others, called the election in favour of Manmohan Singh:

“The planet Jupiter is favourably placed in Manmohan Singh’s horoscope. This will protect him against the Saturn and Mars combination, that is in the 10th cuspal point from his ascendant, because of which he is facing this situation,” he told the Times of India.

Obviously!

Winners and losers of the confidence vote

Manmohan Singh has little to rejoice about after having survived a confidence vote marred by bribery allegations inside and outside the parliament. However significant yesterday’s victory might be for the new UPA coalition, in May next year, when the government and opposition will have to face the entire nation, it will be a very different story. Then it will be harder to buy and trade votes.

What emerged quite clearly from yesterday’s parliamentary session is that the confidence vote had very little to do with the civilian nuclear deal with the US and the fate of India’s resilient people. What we witnessed in the Lok Sabha – the parliament – was a battle of egos, not of ideas. So the biggest loser in yesterday’s vote are the people.

Bombay Stock Exchange soars on UPA victory

Stocks opened sharply higher on Wednesday cheering the UPA government’s win in the confidence vote in parliament, the Economic Times reports. Investors were on a buying spree across the board. Banking stocks were in demand followed by realty and power stocks.

At 10 am, Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex soared to 14,739.79, up 4.5 per cent or 636 points from Tuesday’s close. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty climbed 4.28 per cent or 181.35 points to 4421.45.

Top headlines after yesterday trust vote

Hindustan Times – Shame: PM wins, but Parliament plumbs new depth

Times of India - Trust in bag, UPA to take N-deal to next level

Times of India - Cash-on-table a first in Lok Sabha history

Business Standard - Bribery drama eclipses UPA win

Mint – UPA wins, setting stage for either pay-offs or reforms

The Calcutta Telegraph – Mohan rules: the myth of a weak Prime Minister

Live Blogging: UPA wins 275 vs 256 – Singh smiles