Everybody is watching
Congratulations to all Indians for electing their new government! The monstrous majority gained by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is both a matter of comfort and concern. The positive aspect of it is that it will enable Narendra Modi to go ahead, boldly and confidently, with the development plans that he has envisaged for India, without having to bear with the clutter and chaos characteristic of a squabbling coalition government. But the alarming aspect is the concern as to whether he would use this majority to make himself an autocrat and misuse the confidence and power that the people of India have vested in him. I hope that in the coming days he proves to be a balanced and seasoned leader. He needs to prove his intentions to run an honest government, with the immediate implementation of a genuine and undiluted Lokpal Bill, so as to use it as a deterrent to keep dishonest people and corruption at arm’s length. Otherwise, Modi will have to encounter the same fate that an upright Manmohan Singh had to suffer, because of the scams caused by some in his government.
From Mr Thomas Varghese
Ras Al Khaimah
No time to waste
The BJP and its allies received a majority number of seats after running a brilliant marketing campaign. Narendra Modi delivered laudable results in his home state Gujarat for the past 15 years, campaigned hard, traded blow for blow with the Gandhi family and yet retained his dignity. Many heroes from the Indian National Congress (INC) have fallen by the wayside.
The Congress has lost power due to continuous inflation in prices of essential products, rampant corruption, poor execution of infrastructure projects and indifference to common people. I believe this is the worst performance of a party since the independence of India. The vice president of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, also put in a lackluster and indifferent performance. He has proved to be incompetent.
If the Congress is to bounce back, it has to select its leaders based on merit. The message of these elections to elected candidates is clear: please do not construe your election as a business or licence to make money. Deliver your promises. With the elections behind India, the new government should install a competent team to address issues confronting the country. The new government has to hit the ground running, for euphoria will be shortlived. There is no time to waste. The Indian electorate does not forgive poor delivery.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
A bright future
Modi is the right person as the prime minister of India. We almost forgot that India is a democratic country and we need a government, not a monarchy. I think Indians will now be able to have a strong and determined government.
By Ms Archana Sen
UAE
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Focus on the youth
India has made a choice and kudos to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, on a resounding victory. The world’s largest democratic election has successfully concluded and India’s 1.27 billion look up to a new leader, Narendra Modi, for a better and brighter future. It is noteworthy that more than half of the country’s population is under 25, according to the official census, and for the youth, education and employment, along with a corruption-free and transparent governance are of prime importance.
The youth of India are its asset and the new government has to harness their potential to create a dynamic economy. Empowering them should be one of the main priorities for a sustainable economic outcome or else there can be dire consequences. The youth are the building blocks of the nation and should be converted into a strength rather than a cause for political and social instability. As a new era dawns, it is up to the chosen ones to enhance the people’s belief in their credibility.
From Ms Lisa Jacob
Dubai
Sceptical approach
The largest democracy in the world elected a new government, giving enough seats to form a majority government alone. We respect this decision. You may call it a ‘Modi wave’ as this is the first time a party has secured a majority since 1984, I believe. However I am sceptical about the intentions of Narendra Modi and I fear that secularism in India will be under threat. I’m worried that the interests of the minority communities will be under threat and hardcore extremist rule will be implemented by Modi. I hope communal harmony and the freedom of one’s belief system and the right to practice their own religion will not be under threat.
From Mr Hanif M. Kalmata
Dubai
Slow and steady
One thing is clear, India has not progressed at a good pace in all these years wherein it has been ruled by the Congress party a majority of the years. India gained independence in 1947 and in all these years, could have achieved what many other countries that became independent much later have done so.
It is a relief to have Narendra Modi and his government in power, because they have already shown us a preview of a better India through their role in Gujarat. Although we must not expect an overnight difference, I believe slowly and steadily, Modi’s government will achieve the results that India expects.
From Ms Anjali R.
Dubai
Website comment
Puppet operations
Election results are well known to all, but what I expect is for India’s prime minister to be left free to act. As Indians, we don’t want puppet operations anymore. Our basic infrastructure can’t be changed, but the new government should at least make it functional. Parliament should be the people’s house, not a place to fight. Let this change be useful to everyone in India.
From Mr Shiva Rahul
UAE
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Leader of the people
India needs a visionary leader with a focus to drive the nation forward. His records may be slightly overshadowed by some crimes, but Narendra Modi has proven to be an action-oriented leader. However, India has no reason to expect miracles to escape from corruption, as I believe even the 2014 elections were designed, implemented and invested in by some corporate sharks.
By Mr Yousuf Yasir
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
More checks?
I think the situation will be calm in India after these elections. But, since Narendra Modi and the BJP have been labelled ‘extremists’ before, there might be more checks from the international community. Additionally, tension might increase between India and Pakistan.
From Mr Omar K.
Karachi, Pakistan
Facebook comment
Clear view
People need to stop the ‘RIP democracy’ comments everywhere. The people have voted for their choice of a leader and the results clearly reflect that. If you’re going to bring religion into politics and not see what Narendra Modi has actually done, you need a reality check. It almost feels pointless telling that to people.
From Mr Kunal Khanna
UAE
Facebook comment
Positive changes
India needs a good government. I hope this time, we see positive changes in the country. I congratulate the new prime minister of India.
From Mr Mohammad Aleem
Dubai
Facebook comment
Live in harmony
Happy days are here again, as India received true independence from the clearly irrelevant Congress party. They are the real culprits who have ruled the country till date by dividing the nation based on caste and religion. Now, harmony will prevail and all Indians, irrespective of caste and religion, will live together like one. That’s the future of India with Narendra Modi in power.
From Mr Raj Kumar Jalan
Calcutta, India
Facebook comment
View from the top
The verdict is out. Not surprisingly, it is in favour of a ‘Modi’fied India. But what is really surprising is the scale of defeat of opposition parties, particularly in Uttarpradesh. It will take some time for them to come out of this unprecedented shock. Such is the power of people that can never be taken for granted by any party.
Although anti-incumbency played a part, it is Narendra Modi’s whirlwind campaign across the country, carrying a message of development and good governance, that caught the imagination of people and propelled them to give him a chance.
I hope Modi will fulfil the expectations and aspirations of millions of people who voted him to power. It is an uphill task, but Modi has proven in the past that he is a man who relishes challenges and has the resolve to achieve. Indian democracy has proven once again, even a person from a humble origin can make it to the highest office if he has the will and determination. But nothing is possible without hard work. Modi is living proof of this.
From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan
UAE
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