The great UPA gamble: Where do independents stand?

MOMENT IN THE SUN: This high-stakes' N-duel will be decided by the relatively unknown and the annonymous.

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Keywords: Trust Vote, Manmohan Singh

New Delhi: The independents could be the difference between life and death in the great gamble of the Manmohan Singh Government. Each one of them is commanding disproportionate power in the nuclear battlefield.

Ironically, this high-stakes' duel will be decided by the relatively unknown and the annonymous.

Suddenly all roads lead to their houses, but the MPs are missing.

Harish Nagpal, a UP-based liquor baron is also voting against the UPA amidst reports that he is under financial pressure. He told CNN-IBN that he would be standing with the BJP during the trust vote on July 22.

The MP from Ladakh, Thupstan Chewang, is said to be unhappy with the Congress over the Tibet issue, and could go with the BJP. His son says he is in Haryana and will be reaching Delhi on Friday night.

Another MP, Sansuma Biswamuthiary, is said to be in Assam and is said to return only on July 20. He is likely to stay with the UPA.

Then there is Babulal Marandi, who is angry with the BJP, but is apparently not angry enough to save the Government.

Meanwhile, Manipur MP, Mani Charenamei says, "I will be able to tell where I stand only after July 21."

Most of the independents are aware of their price tag.

And for once, these MPs - who rarely get a chance to speak in Parliament or even be seen on television - will have their moment in the sun. After all, in a confidence vote, every MP counts.

INDEPENDENT'S DAY

• Sansuma Biswamuthiary, MP from Assam - with UPA
• Mani Charenamei, MP from Manipur - Undecided
• Babulal Marandi, MP from Jharkhand - against UPA
• Harish Nagpal, MP from Uttar Pradesh - against UPA
• Dr Paul Sebastian, MP from Kerala - against UPA
• Thupstan Chhewang, MP from Ladakh - Undecided