India Election 2014 - A new Paradigm Shift about to unfold!

The General Election 2014 in India would be a very interesting event and would surely change the way politics is perceived and practiced in the nation. Being the largest and most populous democracy of the world and the home to innumerable regional ethno-linguistic groups distributed in 29 states and 7 union territories spread across 327590 Km² present political churning would have far reaching ramifications. The way people participate and bring in the change in their own political system would be keenly observed the world over.  What is important the democracy has thrown up new entrants and new situations which would keep the electors very much interested very unlike the earlier elections where in only established could only practice and the electors had to choose from the one of the two at the most three parties in their constituencies!

The emergence of the Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Admi Party has led to the welcome shift in political landscape, and has inserted an element of excitement with a promise to bring power to the people of India with their active participation. It has offered a platform for people to aspire and to take direct part in the Indian politics previously thought to be the exclusive domain of organized political class.

On three counts this election is significant firstly with the rightist party BJP being driven by the tireless campaign spearheaded by an energetic Leader Narendra Modi. In a few months he has apparently not only sidelined the old patriarch LK Advani but also brought turn around in the morale of his partymen and brought to the fore the Party as the no. 1 contender to stake claim to be the party to get the largest seats in the general election 2014.

Secondly, the oldest political party and the one ruling for the last 10 years, the Congress Party is believed to lose in an unprecedented way. It has been mired with corruption scandals and policy paralysis in its second 5 year term of ruling India. It is at its lowest ebb after the late 90’s.

It is also believed the uncertainty that would develop with no single party achieving the magic figure of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha (the house of people) to stake claim to form the next government, a coalition of motley crowd of various regional parties ( being termed as the third front & fourth front) would be able to if not hold the reins of power but would be able to be become the king makers.

Now that the election commission of India has declared the election dates in various phases the stage is set for the most important event in the electoral politics of India to unfold.