New Delhi: Like the "India Shining" campaign did not click for the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) in the recent elections, massive tax cuts may not work for President George W Bush ahead of the US elections and he will have to face the consequences of the Iraq war, Congressman Jim McDermott said today (Jul 1, 2004).

The Lok Sabha election results surprised everyone. There was no indication in the run-up to the polls that the outcome would see a change of Government, McDermott, a former of the influential 'India Caucus', said.

He was speaking on comparison of US elections with Indian elections and expectations from either side at the CII headquarters.

The widely-published photographs of American soldiers carrying out despicable acts on hapless Iraqi prisoners, the Iraq war itself and the toll on US forces, lack of jobs, the continuing spectre of terrorist threats were major factors that would not make it possible for Bush to win Presidential elections in November this year, the Congressman said.

"But Indian elections have proved that anything can happen," he said when asked about speculation that al-Qaeda supremo Osama bin Laden was already in US custody and will be presented just before the elections to sway the electorate.