-Economic and Political Weekly This article challenges the prevailing view that the diminished Electoral prospects of the United Progressive Alliance government is the result of neglecting growth to launch populist welfare schemes. It looks at a wide range of economic indicators to argue that compared to the National Democratic Alliance regime, the UPA period has been characterised by faster growth, higher savings and investment, growing foreign trade and capital infl ows,...

-The Hindu While an increased turnout in Assembly elections is not an indicator of the same in Lok Sabha elections, aggressive campaigning points toward a higher turnout in this poll If the pattern of turnout in the Assembly elections held over the last couple of years are of any indication, the turnout in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections should significantly increase. Almost all the Assembly elections held in different States between 2012-13...

-The Hindu Business Line Welfare programmes do work these days. That's because their implementation determines poll outcomes In the last 15 years, India has seen the adoption of an "alphabet soup" of ambitious national anti-poverty programmes: a rural connectivity scheme (PMGSY), a universal primary schooling initiative (SSA), a rural health initiative (NRHM), a rural electrification scheme (RGGVY), a rural employment guarantee (NREGA), a food subsidy (Food Security Act), and a new digital...

-BLOOMBERG Keeping the economic data available on website may violate the Election Commission's code of conduct, says state economic statistics director New Delhi: Gujarat led by Narendra Modi, whose party leads in polls to win general elections starting next month, has blocked access to official economic data on its website during the campaign. The directorate of economic statistics in Gujarat, the state Modi has run since 2001, has removed access to publications...

-The Indian Express If parties are sincere about the women's reservation bill, why hasn't there been a minimal debate about its flaws and possibilities? The Congress manifesto commits the party to "the enactment of the Women's Reservation Bill to reserve 33 per cent of all seats in Parliament and state legislative assemblies for women". Other parties are sure to have similar, perhaps even more time-bound, pledges. Those of us who thought that once...