The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by Indian National Congress (INC) has made it, defying all predictions and assessments. The UPA is set to score around 260 seats requiring a handful of seats to reach the magic figure of 272 in a house of 543 seats, and this is more than handy and available even without asking.
The electorate has thrashed the NDA-led by the BJP- conclusively which is going to manage about 160 seats with BJP securing about a 100 compared to 200 of INC as per the projections available as the counting of votes is nearing ends.
One of the most surprised out come of these elections are a severe decimation of the Left parties both in West Bengal and Kerala. In Bengal the Left has scored only 15 seats compared to 35 last time and 5 seats in Kerala from 15 in last elections. The national kitty of Left Front has gone down from 60 in 2004 elections to 25 in these elections.
The left has paid the price of trying to pull down the UPA government over nuclear issue and managing local sentiments- particularly that of farmers- poorly.
If the Left Front cannot repair the damage in the next two years, they are likely to lose power in Bengal after an enviable and record stint of 34 continuous years. Mamata Banerjee now would definitely mount severe pressure on the Left organizational base to dethrone it in the next assembly elections due in two years time.
Nevertheless, India as a country would now get a firm national government led by INC and slated to survive full 5-year terms. This will be the government free from all pressure and would be able to full fill the dreams of the people, which have given it a very resounding mandate in the era of coalition politics.