By Laura Ramanauskaite-Stasiauskiene

Ahmedabad, India

08\03\2009

Edited by Sudarshan Golecha

             The Republic of India with its population of 1,16 bill, is world largest democracy and second fastest-growing economy (GDP growth rate 9 %, exports growing rate 25,8%, imports 29% (2007-08)). India is a Federal Republic of 28 states and 7 Union Territories that are ruled by parliament government: Lok Sabha (House of People or the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States or Upper House of 245 seats). The 15th Lok Sabha Election of India is scheduled to be held by the month of May 2009. The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 552, comprising 530 members who represent the States, up to 20 members who stand for the Union Territories and not more than 2 members from the Anglo-Indian Community who are nominated by the President for five years term.  

              The India Election 2009 will be contested on new constituency boundaries for the first time in over 30 years and the change was implemented on the findings of the Delimitation Commission. Some of the major changes include merging of areas of various constituencies to eradicate population inconsistencies between different seats and reservation and de-reservation of seats. But, for the time being, the Government of India has postponed delimitation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Manipur and Nagaland. 

The main political parties in India

            National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - is an alliance involving various national and regional political parties led by the BJP to form the government. It common manifesto in the 1999 elections was called, ‘An Agenda for a Proud, Prosperous India’. NDA defines its vision as ‘India as a developed nation. The main agendas for the elections are: to get 8 to 10% GDP growth rate on a sustainable basis over the next five years. The NDA is commitment to make India an economic superpower; Bridge the gap between rural and urban India; Road connectivity of the remotest of the places.  Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) -   Jana Sangha was a political party founded in 1951 which later came to be known as Bhartiya Janata Party. In 1996 it emerged as a single largest party in a hung parliament and then in 1999 came into power as a part of NDA Alliance under the leadership of Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The aim of the party is to establish a democratic state guaranteeing equality of opportunity and liberty of faith and expression. The Party stands for decentralisation of economic and political power. The main agendas for the elections are: Making India a Developed Nation and a Great Power by 2020; Broadening and deepening of economic reforms, based on a self-reliant approach; To fulfill the basic needs in education, healthcare, housing, cultural development; Commitment to women’s all-round empowerment · Intensifying dialogue with Pakistan to find a lasting solution to all bilateral issues.                                                                                              Indian National Congress  - the oldest Indian political party, the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 and was the most powerful force behind the country’s struggle for independence It also held power for most years after independence. The dynasty goes back to the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, active during the years of the freedom struggle was the natural heir to the throne. The suspension of democratic institutions during emergency earned her many critics and also led to the birth of many anti-Congress factions. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi, then a political novice, swept the polls through the apparent sympathy wave. His tragic assassination again brought the Congress to power in 1991, with PV Narasimha Rao as the Prime Minister. In 1999 Mrs. Sonia Gandhi entered politics and took the reins of the party. This was the time when the party most needed the support of the Nehru -Gandhi Family. The main agendas for the elections are: Generation of more jobs; Eradication of poverty; Step up public investment in agriculture; One-third reservation for women; Commission for the problems of North Eastern States. With Sonia Gandhi as its President and the contender for the Prime Minister’s post, see if the Gandhi fame works.                  Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) - the BSP was formed in 1984 by Kanshi Ram who has remained party leader ever since. The party emerged from Kanshi Ram’s earlier activity promoting the interests of Scheduled Caste government employees. Kanshi Ram was able to promote the organisation in the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Although the BSP is recognised by the Election Commission as a national party it effectively functions on certain North Indian states only. It’s ideology is based on the argument that the majority are oppressed by the select upper class. It aims to change this using the government power.
             Mayawati and Kanshi Ram are the two key figures of the party. The BSP first entered the election fray in 1984 but did not do well. It started to rise in the post alliances era. While in power in 1995, the BSP was clouded in several controversies. It still has risen with it’s limited following based on the cast credentials. It’s single point program is the upliftment of dalits. With a limited followin of the dalits and in light og various controversiesincluding the Taj Corridor, people’s mandate can only decide it’s acceptablity                           Samajwadi Party - came into existences on 4th October 1992. Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav was elected party’s first president. The Party Vice President is Shri Janeshwar Mishra. Mulayam Singh Yadav has been in politics since 1967. He has been the chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh - 1993-95, and Union Defence Minister 1996-1998. In the 13th Lok Sabha, it was the 5th largest party with 27 mambers. Samajwadi Party stands for Equality and Prosperity of all. It is deadly against communal forces. Samajwadi Party is in favour of ‘Indo Pak Bangladesh Mahasangh’. Party believes in democratic socialism and opposes uncontrolled entry of Multinational companies to India. Party believes that Agriculture, Small and Medium scale Industry is the backbone of Indian Economy and hence every assistance should be given to these sectors.
The main agendas for the elections: Provision for reservation in jobs, medical and technical institutions; Reconstitution of the Shanti Suraksha Bal; Remove illiteracy amongst Muslims; creating more employment opportunities and removing poverty.              
            Samata Party (SP) - was formed in 1994 when a faction lead by George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar broke away from Janta Dal. The reason was that the party ideology had shifted to castism. George Fernades rose to fame during 1977- 79 for his opposition to multinational companies. He was the key figure behind packing off Coca cola from India then. He campaigned against BJP calling it a communal party. In 1996 Samata Party came into alliance with BJP and won on eight seats, six in Bihar and one each in Uttar Pradesh and Orissa. Before this it was largely based in Bihar only. In 1998 elections again in alliance with BJP it won twelve seats, ten from Bihar and two from Uttar Pradesh. Since then the two leaders George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar were Union Ministers in the NDA government; George Fernandes the Defence Minister and Nitish Kumar the Railway Minister. More recently with yet another split in Janta Dal, SP has been able to rope in Janta Dal Led by Sharad Yadav, Lok Shakti led by Ramakrishna Hegde and Samata Party on a single platform for the NDA. The main agendas for the elections are: oppose and end communalism; eradicate corruption at all levels; increased security of the nation.                
             Some of the political parties haven’t officially announced their candidates for Prime Ministers for Election 2009. The National Democratic Alliance comprising the BJP and its allies officially elected L. K. Advani as their candidate for Prime Minister for general election 2009 on January 23rd 2008.
             The Indian National Congress (INC) and its allies though haven’t announced their candidate for Prime Minister. One speculation is Rahul Gandhi, the son of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Apart from them, the other political parties haven’t yet officially announced their Prime Ministerial candidates.               What for all this competition you may ask? The Prime Minister is the head of government in India and exercises most executive powers. Appointed by the President, the Prime Minister is by convention supported by the party or political alliance holding the majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament.             Elections in India expected to bring some changes in issues like jobs (slowing economy and job losses is a worry, certainly in urban areas), inflation, terrorism, along with developments in Pakistan and their impact on India’s security.             According to surveys, 83% of people think that most of India’s politicians are corrupt. People think that primary motive of most politicians is to make money (59%); to work for the country (27%); to work for the public (13%); don’t know/can’t say (1%). Will the political class change? Will have no choice but to improve (54%); will remain corrupt (44%); don’t know/can’t say (2%).             

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