Too many cooks spoil the broth. Are too many political parties spoiling India's democracy? With electioneering in full swing for the 15th Lok Sabha polls, many voters are asking themselves this question: Is political fragmentation, as represented by the rise of regional parties, undermining our polity?
Long gone are the days when a monolithic Congress the Grand Old Party of Indian politics was a virtually unchallenged brand leader in the electoral market. Today, in UP traditionally considered the crucible of Indian politics, particularly at election time the Congress is for all practical purposes a non-starter, the real race being between the BSP and the SP. The only other party with national credentials, the BJP, also seems a spent force, riven with internal dissension and desperately seeking coalitional succour from any and all points of the ideological compass.
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