New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) The coming Lok Sabha election "is more crucial" than the 1977 election that for the first time ended the Congress rule nationally, economist Lord Meghnad Desai has said.
"This may be the first time someone born after independence will (become) the prime minister," Lord Desai said here, referring to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi who was born in 1950.
"We ought to take these elections seriously. It is more crucial than the 1977 election when the idea of India was at stake," said Lord Desai, emeritus professor of economics at the London School of Economics.
Also a Labour party peer in Britain, Lord Desai and other experts added that the debates ahead of the April-May Lok Sabha election were focused on personalities, not issues.
They were taking part in a debate on democracy at the India Habitat Centre. The speakers included Lord Meghnad Desai and Sudheendra Kulkarni.
The panel released journalist Hindol Sengupta's book "100 Things to Know and Debate Before You Vote".
"These elections have become so personality centric, issues have been backgrounded," said Kulkarni, chairman of Observer Research Foundation who was a part of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's office.
Kulkarni had an advisory role in Bharatiya Janata Party leader (BJP) L.K. Advani's prime ministerial campaign in 2009.
Kulkarni, however, added that despite odds, the elections were a proud moment for India.
"There are many shortcomings but the elections are a proud moment for Indian democracy... India's status as a democracy will be enhanced."
He also felt the Congress might be ousted and a BJP government was likely to take power.
"People want change, there will be no UPA III. In all likelihood, there will be a Modi-led government. But the BJP needs to focus on governance."
Lord Desai felt that the Indian political system belittles its MPs.
"The Indian political system has made MPs unimportant... But they are given access to power. They can (execute) local contracts, and that is how you get rich."
Desai called India a nation of many nations and said the elections gave it one identity.
"What kind of a nation is India? It is a multinational polity, not a single country. It was created as a single country in the 19th century and became one thanks to elections."
Pointing out at the lack of issues in election debates, agriculture and food activist Devinder Sharma said all the focus was on GDP and a hope for change.
"There is euphoria... GDP is not a symbol that all is well... Even when the growth was eight-nine percent, it was a jobless growth."
Monetary Policy: In RBI's monetary policy review meeting today, the repo rate may increase for the fourth time
The three-day meeting of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy review is starting today. It is expected that the central bank may increase the repo rate by 0.50 percent on 30 September. If
When Vinesh Phogat created history, Kangana Ranaut congratulated her in a different style and praised the work of the Modi government
India's female wrestler Vinesh Phogat has made it to the finals of the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh made it to the finals by winning the 50 kg weight category semi-final 5-0. The country hopes that
Jammu and Kashmir may get statehood soon: Finance minister first indicated, then handled the matter
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday indicated that the Center is considering the re-statement of Jammu and Kashmir. The Finance Minister was speaking about the funds being given by the
India summons Pakistan envoy over Lakhvi's release
New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) India summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Friday and lodged a strong protest against a court in Islamabad ordering the release of Mumbai attack mastermind
The person said to Sonu Sood- Brother, reach on the bar ... Actor gave such an answer
Actor Sonu Sood may be popular for portraying villains on the big screen, but in real life he is no less than a messiah. For the past few days, he has been in the news for helping thousands of migrant
GDP: GDP size may increase by 22 lakh crores, fiscal deficit will also increase by 3.3 lakh crores
Due to an increase in revenue collection and expenditure, the size of GDP can increase by Rs 22 lakh crore to 275-280 lakh crore in the current financial year. Earlier the government's estimate was Rs
Pakistan crisis: Government's order to the Ministry of External Affairs - cut the number of missions and officers abroad
Pakistan is currently facing an unprecedented economic crisis. Inflation is skyrocketing. Imported goods are stuck at ports. Less than US$ 3 billion is left in the country's foreign exchange reserves.
This is what makes the government be demolished: Those who annoyed the youth lost their government if you don't believe then turn the pages of 2007, 2012 and 2017
The throne of UP is also in the hands of young boys and girls this time. Same for 18 to 30-year-olds. This is 26% of the voters of the state. This is the age when youth decides life. That's why these
Omicron Variant: 99% of Omicron patients are recovering in seven days, then why are doctors alert.
The cases of corona infection are increasing rapidly again across the country. In the last 24 hours, more than 37 thousand cases have been reported. During this, more than 100 corona patients have
Balloting begins for Lok Sabha polls in Tripura
Agartala, April 7 (IANS) Polling in one of the two Lok Sabha seats in Tripura began Monday in the first phase of India's general election, officials said.Around 1.2 million voters are eligible to
