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."
Seattle Caste Discrimination: Seattle becomes the first American city to end caste discrimination, the proposal passed
The American city of Seattle became the first city in the country to abolish caste discrimination. The local council in Seattle voted to include race in the city's anti-discrimination laws. The move
Snoopgate probe an act of despair: Modi
New Delhi, May 4 (IANS) BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has labelled as an "act of despair" the UPA government's decision to appoint a sitting judge to probe the so-called
Salman Khan: Did Salman Khan hint about marriage? He said- 'One day I will also...'
It seems that Salman Khan wants to get married soon and also wants children. On Wednesday, Salman Khan wished his brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri, a happy birthday and wrote a wonderful message on
Uniform Civil Code: Uniform Civil Code bill can be passed in Uttarakhand Assembly today, know its special features
After two years of efforts, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday created history by laying the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Uttarakhand Bill 2022 on the table of the Assembly. Uttarakhand has
Appeasement sympathies: 57 Muslim countries and a population of about 180 crores, with a population of 90 million, failed to stop Israel; Reason- everyone cares
The world was worried by the 11-day war between Israel and Palestine. Most of the voices of peace were coming from the Muslim countries, but it is also true that all these proved to be
Order reserved over SC's income disclosure rules
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on a plea challenging Supreme Court rules requiring an advocate and litigant to cite their annual income and PAN
IND vs NZ: Head coach Gambhir supports KL Rahul, says team management's opinion is important, not social media
Indian team's head coach Gautam Gambhir has supported KL Rahul, who is in poor form. Gambhir says that the opinion of the team management matters more than the criticism going on social media. KL
The actress said- Shame, you don't deserve CM's chair; Your worst product of nepotism
The verbal war between Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and actress Kangana Ranaut continues. Uddhav in his Dussehra rally address on Sunday without naming Kangna said that you come here
Bangladesh captain Mortaza seeks all-round performance
Melbourne, March 18 (IANS) Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza is not overawed by the occasion or the stage for their cricket World Cup quarterfinals clash against defending champions India at the
PM Modi: PM Modi's meeting with Jailonsky in New York, reiterated India's support for resolving the Ukraine struggle
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky in New York on Monday (local time). During this time, PM Modi reiterated India's support for an early
