Crucial phase

As the voting is in its crucial phase and nearing completion, the low turnout has caught the attention of the critics and media largely and triggered speculation widely about the future government, as the Indian National Congress led opposition plays a role in this mammoth electoral exercise (“India votes in fifth phase of election,” May 20, Gulf Today website).

There are a number of reasons for the poor turnout, including the unfavourable weather, but this is undoubtedly concerning for all of the main political parties. These worries about how the release of the Delhi Chief Minister on bail a week ago may affect the final outcome are becoming increasingly pressing.

In addition, India certainly needs a stable administration, regardless of the party that wins office. Although not expected to win as many as 400 seats, the BJP still has the potential to win some majority seats mainly due to the absence of a stronger opposition. A government composed of numerous small parties would not be stable or sustainable in a nation the size of India.

If the number of NDA seats declines, it suggests that the opposition is becoming more powerful, yet the Congress does not have the same deep roots as it did previously.

Helping India’s poor inhabitants should be the top priority for any administration, and the present NDA has performed marginally better in this area than its predecessors. Programmes that prioritise the actual objectives of women’s empowerment have had some positive results, albeit slowly.

Ramachandran Nair,

Muscat, Oman