New Delhi, Nov. 17 -- It was a bright morning towards the end of 2009. Vapours were visible from our cups filled with hot tea at our hotel. We were sitting with a close confidant of Nitish Kumar. I asked him what was the secret of his leader's success? He replied, "on the chessboard of politics Nitish babu, like a knight, can move two and half paces forward and backward simultaneously. His right hand is unaware of what his left hand is about to do?"

Speaking candidly he insisted even those closest to Nitish don't know what he will do the next moment. "Nitish babu maintains political decency and never launches any personal attacks on his opponents. This is the reason his friends are wary and foes are expectant. Today he will definitely ha...