India Elections 09: India votes decisively, decides to strengthen the hand of stability · Global Voices
Aparna Ray

Election results are pouring in from all across the country and it is now clear that India has voted decisively for a stable government at the center, under the leadership of the Congress-led UPA. Dr. Manmohan Singh is going to be the Prime Minister for a second consecutive term. Even before all the results are in, just going by the trends, the BJP-led NDA alliance has publicly conceded defeat.
The UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi congratulated the electorate on this mandate. At a press conference at her residence at 4.00pm IST, she said, “The people of India know what is good for them and they have made the right choice.”
As of now (5.40pm IST) the national tally (results) is as follows:
Total no. of seats = 543
No. of seats needed to stake claim to power (majority) = 272
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UPA alliance – leads+wins = 258
NDA alliance – leads+wins = 162
3rd Front – leads+wins = 68
Others (including the 4th Front) – leads+wins = 55
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Indian elections (#indiavotes09) is a top trending topic on twitter today. A few reactions from tweeters:
@jraghu – Indian citizens give verdict. Congress led UPA wins safe, free elections in largest free democracy. Thank you, all #India #Indiavotes09
@dina – this mandate seems to be for good governance – stability & progress & optimism as opposed to fear. governance not politicians. #indiavotes09
@calamur – #indiavotes09 – Singh is King – Advani v/s PM. whining v/s strength. bitterness v/s vision.powerlust v/s duty. India chose well
While there is jubilation in many quarters, there is gloom among the supporters of the BJP. Blogger Chakresh Mishra writes on his blog:
[…]my biggest sympathy is with BJP, which is the party I voted for. A nationalist party. It is a loss of face for BJP. But friends, There are times in history of a nation when all seem lost and looks like wrong forces have won the final battle. But dear friends, it is just a process, which goes on and on. 5 years may be significant time period in life of a man, but in life of a nation (that too a nation like India) is just a flickr of eye.
The time after defeat is not for grief and blame-game. It is the time to introspect and start preparing to come out as winner in next battle.
Though hopes are shattered and nightmares are prevailing, the dawn will surely come. It is not the first black day of Indian history, we survived and fought back. Let us do that again.
Update:
Tally as of 1pm IST, 17/05/09:
Total no. of seats = 543
No. of seats needed to stake claim to power (majority) = 272
————————————————————–
UPA alliance – leads+wins = 262
NDA alliance – leads+wins = 157
3rd Front – leads+wins = 67
Others (including the 4th Front) – leads+wins = 57
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The UPA alliance now needs to garner support for only about 10 seats. Whom will they invite to be a part of their coalition? Watch this space.