In spite of being so crucial, this election is colourless and the mood lackadaisical. There are no major - or even minor- issues, no personalities in any of the parties, and no ideology at all. All the talk of the North Karnataka resentment, of the Bangalore versus the rest of Karnataka and the rural-urban divide cannot change this fact. What there is, is a simmering resentment among the people since the last government. And while the JD (S) and the BJP charged each other with being betrayers, it was the people who were really betrayed, not only by these two parties but by the Congress as well. Unusually the campaigns are very low key, as if the parties know they have lost face. There is cynicism among most people, but there is a small hope that this is linked to a determination to vote and do something about it. The main hope among the voters this time is of a...