How India's elections were won and lost

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia: Professor Varshney - "The middle and richer urban classes, the beneficiaries of economic reforms and the greatest supporters of the BJP, 'stayed home', whereas the less privileged and the minorities 'stepped out in large numbers to vote'. "

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, who teaches government at Harvard University, says it is difficult to pin down any one reason which formed the basis of the judgement of Indian voters. He says: "What is the litmus test on the basis of which government performance is judged? Growth? Low inflation? Unemployment? Corruption?