http://www.theage.com.au/world/terror-cloud-on-indias-poll-show-20090410-a2ve.html?page=-1
Terror cloud on India's poll show Matt Wade, New Delhi April 11, 2009 THE world's biggest election is about to begin but there are fears terrorism could spoil India's festival of democracy. After repeated terrorist strikes across India over the past year, officials fear that the month-long national poll that starts on Thursday could become the next target. One danger is an attack by Islamic militants originating in Pakistan, similar to last November's Mumbai assault that killed 180. Indian intelligence services are also worried the Tamil Tigers, the Sri Lankan rebel group that killed former Indian leader Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, might strike again. It is feared Rajiv Gandhi's widow and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka could be attacked in retaliation for India not pressuring Sri Lanka for a ceasefire. India is also grappling with home-grown insurgency groups that might want to disrupt the poll. Despite these threats, campaigning in the world's biggest parliamentary democracy has been as colourful as ever. Former Test cricketer Chetan Chauhan, a candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is one of several retired cricketers standing. He launched his bid this week by staging a cricket match in a park with local youths. Apart from cricketers, there is a grand tradition of Indian actors turning to politics. The election campaign in the south Indian state of Andra Pradesh, with a population of 75 million, has been electrified by the entrance of Chiranjeevi, the region's biggest movie star. When Chiranjeevi held a rally to launch his Praja Rajyam (People's Rule) party last August, nearly a million people attended. Authorities allocated 1500 buses and 18 trains to ferry fans to the event and a stampede at the gathering injured about 35. The array of celebrity candidates means conventional politicians have to work hard for political oxygen. Sonia Gandhi, matriarch of the dynasty that has dominated Indian politics for more than 60 years, and son Rahul, will address about 180 meetings as they battle to keep their Congress Party in power. Mrs Gandhi, the Italian-born grandmother who found herself India's most powerful politician after the death of her husband, is a seasoned campaigner. She is credited with guiding Congress to an unexpected triumph at the last election, which allowed Congress form a coalition Government that has governed since. Congress stalwart Manmohan Singh, who has been Prime Minister for five years, is again the party's candidate for PM. But many expect Rahul Gandhi will eventually replace the 76-year-old if Congress polls well. Rahul's father Rajiv Gandhi, grandmother Indira Gandhi and great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru were all prime ministers. The other leading candidate for prime minister is the 81-year-old BJP leader, L. K. Advani. He promises to deliver decisive government but the BJP - a Hindu nationalist party - has been plagued by internal divisions and has struggling to deliver a clear political message. It is unlikely that any party will win an outright majority, meaning post-election deal-making will almost certainly be required to form a coalition government. The most likely outcome is a multi-party alliance led by either Congress or the BJP, but it is possible a "third-front" government made up of regional and left-wing parties will be formed. If it lasted, a third-front Government might shift India's approach to foreign and economic policy. For example, any government dependent on the support from leftist parties could stifle the closer ties India has forged with the United States. GOING TO THE POLLS ?Since the 2004 election, India has acquired 43 million new voters. ?The country's 543-seat lower house, the Lok Sabha, will be elected in five phases over the next month. ?About 4 million polling officials will use around 1.1 million electronic voting machines, with the poll result announced on May 16. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
