BALLOT BOX
Over
the last two weeks, India
conducted ―semi-finals‖ for the
general (federal) elections scheduled
for mid-April 2014. These state-level
elections involved 110 million
voters. Four of the five states which
voted - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh and Delhi - are located
in central, northern, and western parts
of India which account for a large
number of seats in the Federal
Parliament.
Indian elections: democracy reaffirmed?
Aseem Prakash
The election results which have just
come in, have been stunning. BJP
Page
The rise of NaMo in national politics
has jolted Indian politics. NaMo is a
12
These elections became a referendum
divisive figure. While some view him
on three critical issues: the leadership
as a non-corruptible, development
of Rahul Gandhi in the
oriented leader who
Congress
party,
The rise of NaMo in
has transformed the
Bharatiya
Janata
state of Gujarat as its
national politics has
Party‘s (BJP) decision
Chief Minister, others
jolted Indian politics.
to declare Narendra
consider him the
NaMo is a divisive
Modi
(NaMo)
its
communal
leader
figure. While some view
Prime
Ministerial
responsible for the
him as a non-corruptible, 2002 communal riots
candidate, and the
future
of
antidevelopment oriented
in his state. Rahul
corruption parties in
leader who has
Gandhi is the scion of
India. Both NaMo and
the
Gandhi-Nehru
transformed the state of
Rahul
actively
family.
For
his
Gujarat as its Chief
campaigned in these
Minister, others consider supporters, he is a
states. NaMo‘s rallies
straight-talking
him the communal leader
drew huge crowds
visionary; for others,
responsible for the 2002
while Rahul‘s crowdhe is an inexperienced
pulling abilities were
communal riots in his
leader
without
a
variable.
state.
resume or ideas.