During the election campaign to the 15th Lok Sabha, an impression was created that the election outcome would throw a hung Parliament with innumerable parties, none of which would be anywhere near the required majority of 272 giving scope for unhealthy politics of manipulation by smaller parties, which would not be in the interest of democracy or stability of the government. However, the result has shown that notwithstanding the fact that no party or pre-election combine has secured the required majority, the UPA has secured 262 seats, i.e., only 10 seats short of the required majority. Therefore, it is very easy to get that number without indulging in wooing several smaller parties, which would have made unreasonable demands and would have dictated terms and which would have been injurious to national interest. Although the result is highly disappointing for the BJP and the NDA, they have emerged as the main opposition with as many as 160 seats which can act as an effective opposition, leaving other parties far behind. All other non-Congress parties including the Left have got only 130 seats. If NDA had secured 30 to 40 seats more and UPA less to that extent, it would have given rise not only to a hung Parliament but also to political instability. Thus, the clear trend shown by the matured electorate in this election is towards two-party system, which is necessary for the stability of democracy, and this is welcome. As far as Karnataka is concerned, the electorate has given as many as 19 seats to BJP which strengthens the stability of the BJP government in the state.
