The underlying cynicism which shaped the restoration of popular government in UP rules out any hopes of the new regime putting the state on a new course. All that the electorate can realistically hope from the new chief minister is a series of steps to prevent a further side into “chaos, anarchy and destruction”. BJP president L.K. Advani has rightly stated that the restoration of law and order is the government’s priority. What he should have added is that law and order is the government’s only agenda. If there are other meaningful steps for UP’s overall development — including the establishment of a separate Uttarakhand state — the electorate should count it as a bonus. Like the UF government at the Centre which was formed on the hope that it would pursue a line of minimum damage, the BJP-BSP coalition will assume office also bereft of popular expectations. Not that performance in government will affect the showing of the parties the next time round. What really counts in UP is the ability of politicians to bolster primordial loyalties and await electoral dividends. Wholesome governance counts for very little. Unless this political culture undergoes a transformation, UP is destined to retain its status as India’s most impossible province, second only to Bihar.