ELECTION results in four Indian states elections and center administered region of Puduchery released on Thursday by the Indian Election Commission showed the diversity of the Indian voters’ choice in which parties were happy in one state or were to swallow defeat in another. As predicted the BJP, which has formed government at the center two years ago has been able to snatch power in Assam from the Congress. But in West Bengal Mamata Banerjee retained power despite formidable challenge from Left-Congress coalition. Interestingly in Kerala where the Left-Congress coalition won and West Bengal BJP has won only one and three seats respectively. In Tamil Nadu incumbent Chief Minister Jayalalithaa retained power while in Puduchery Congress won. It appears loser in one state won in another although the elections left terrible impact on parties to face voters, mitigate their angers and won the mandates. Especially the rise of BJP in Assam was noticeable while at the same time its route in West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, despite being the ruling party in the center showed that it was not able to unduly influence the voters. A free and fair election is thus as much as possible in India and the results largely acceptable to people. This is what is key to claim a clean mandate to govern. We must say that the neutrality of the Indian election system not disrupted by the government also brings hope to the people of Bangladesh to see the elections here similarly free and fair not interfered by the government. Here the government’s interference is bold and naked that they do not worry about the opposition or the Election Commission. The controversial elections that were held in Bangladesh in January 2014 with Indian support to continue Awami League in power did not match with the Indian election system. Many wonder why India that helped us in our liberation war for democracy is not helping us to solve the crisis of democracy in Bangladesh. During West Bengal election, Indian Election Commission hastily transferred senior police officers on several occasions from Kolkata and other areas in the face of complains that they were working for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She was annoyed but did not cause obstruction. But now her landslide victory can’t be questioned.In India the government could not dare to encourage violence to secure winning of the government party candidates. The Election Commission is also tough in maintaining impartiality. But in Bangladesh the government is for winning — election or no election.
