20090524153 | Editorial: Near Clear Mandate to UPA | Editorial

By The Editorial Team, on 25-05-2009 00:33

Favoured : None

Belying all speculations the Indian electorates have delivered a near clear mandate in favour of Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). The pollsters and the political parties were stunned alike as the results started trickling in - no one had expected a result in which left and third front was routed, BJP damaged while Congress and its allies like TMC made unexpected gains. While political analysts might be engaging themselves burning midnight oil understanding the message of the electorates, common people are heaving a sigh of relief to see near clarity in the mandate that they have delivered. Many regional political parties like RJD, LJP, BSP, TRS, TDP, AIADMK and BSP fell far short of their own expectations while parties like BJD and JD(U) have done well.

Since the Lok Sabha 2009 elections were held in the absence of any contentious ideological issue the results were expected to be highly fragmented. A fractured verdict was expected with lots of wheeling-dealing for government formation replicating the earlier trends of political blackmail and arm-twisting. As the UPA has received a near clear mandate with supports from different political parties pouring in abundance it has now greater responsibility to steer the country towards the path of progress and prosperity. The task before the new government is no less daunting too. The economic recession is taking its toll in the shape of unemployment, price rise, shrinking exports and increasing deficits. Internal security remains as always a matter of grave concern with threat of Taliban looming large in the wake of new developments in Pakistan. Naxalites are still very much active and striking and divisive-disruptive elements are working on their own agenda. Poverty, malnutrition, education, healthcare and many more such issues still remains unresolved and need immediate attention. While the new government is expected to focus its attention on these issues the opposition is required to play a constructive role working as a catalyst as well as break wherever needed.