Nitish Kumar’s new cabinet, in which 22 of 29 ministers have criminal charges, raises a question mark on his motives. The status quo in which no threat is issued is the second best outcome for both avatars. A pliable Yadav would prefer to capitulate rather than risk the coalition while a hardline Yadav would defy Kumar and force him to issue a dismissal. At the same time, the aim is to make the threat perception high enough so that the pliable avatar of adversary would capitulate. Unlike the committed avatar, a scheming Kumar has no problems with the prospect of a hardline adversary who would engineer the desired breakup at the slightest provocation.

Source: Mint August 09, 2017 20:37 UTC