"Apparently there are quite a few magicians in India: Dhoni, who can make a donkey think he is a thoroughbred horse. Modi may well fall into that category. My sister and her husband visited Gujarat recently as tourists and she told me she was amazed at what she saw. While Modi invokes love hate feelings, is 'controversial' and he may be the proverbial cat among the pigeons, he may just be what India needs at this moment. Remember that it only needs good men to be quiet for evil to triumph and Mr. Manmohan Singh is definitely quiet. Modi is definitely not (quiet) and in an age, where everyone is voicing their opinion on Facebook, Twitter,.... the new Indian may well identify with Modi. While the Congress Party is painting Modi as a communal Devil, I expect this may well backfire on the Congress; the common man is hurting in the worst possible place: their pocket. Prices are going up so rapidly and the Congress seems to be caught, like a rabbit, in the glare of the headlights. Congress has been playing the communal card too long in order to stay in power and that simple fact will not go down kindly. Congress may well be forced to realise the irony of it all."

David Fuller's view Thanks for an interesting email, including the opening comparative reference to India's inspirational cricket captain who has revitalised your team.

I have long been an admirer of Manmohan Singh, who is smart and sensible. However, he has had to govern in an impossible environment and must be exhausted. Presumably, Modi will not receive many Muslim votes but despite this, does he have sufficient characteristics, including charisma, to gather a significant following beyond Gujarat?

Please keep us posted and in the months ahead, I would welcome further insights regarding this important election, likely to be held approximately a year from now.