Phase one of India’s month-long parliamentary elections kicks off on April 16. The 714-million-strong electorate appears to be split between myriad parties and their competing platforms, with the result that analysts predict a new government hamstrung by coalition politics.
What do you think are the issues that will be on Indian voters’ minds when they go to the polls? Employment? The economy? Communal issues? Or India’s global standing?
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Economy & terrorism will build or break a coalition.
I think if the result of this Lok Sabah elections is a hung parliament then the people of India will have to look at different type of democratic system of electing a government as is practiced in America.The intelligentsia has many times in the past raised this issue to stop misuse of power and use of power brokrageing by smaller parties in the past.In the past petty polticians who were not prime minister material became prime ministers with no party manifesto or agenda.Democracies work under certain norms and code of conduct for the smaller and main political parties.India is passing that phase where they will have to pick over the other.
I think the reginal parties will come out as the King Maker. I dont think PM will be outside to Congress or BJP but third front will play an important role in deciding who will be the PM. This year elections will be decided on the economy, job national security and future prospect rather than on religion. Caste will still play an important role as it has always in Indian Political Scene.
Economy and Terrorism are the biggest factors that will by and large define these elections.
Congress will retain its power — but that is more because BJP lacks charismatic leaders more than anything good that COngress has done.
India will be once again led by ManMohan Singh a minority community member.