There are scattered storm clouds on the horizon and the sea has turned slightly choppy. But the captain insists that the ship is sailing fine, its hull as strong as ever. Why, then, are some deck hands abandoning this mighty vessel—the all-conquering warship of the BJP? Political experts believe the party has reasons to worry. The signs are too ominous to ignore, they say. First, its oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Days later, a key regional player—the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)—also quit the NDA ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar.