The suspense associated with the outcome of the fifteenth general elections—the largest democratic election in the world—raises some fundamental questions. Is this suspense built into the structure of political competition? Has the systemic context of electoral politics changed? How do the substantive choices in the assembly elections held between parliamentary elections shape the nature of political contestation in the Lok Sabha elections?

Addressing these questions, this volume provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of electoral politics in India post-2004. Rather than attempt to anticipate the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections in 2009, it offers analytical tools and rich empirical data that can help make sense of the final results. The point of departure is the growing academic and popular wisdom that the theatre of politics has shifted to the states. While delineating the ‘what’ of electoral outcomes, the essays also address deeper questions related to the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of politics in different states in India.

In-depth essays on 19 states tell the stories of particular electoral outcomes in 2004 and thereafter. Using data from the most comprehensive post-poll surveys ever done, they provide, for the first time, answers to critical questions on people’s perceptions of state governments, political leadership, and the nature and context of political choices. Three essays link up these state-level stories with the national picture by offering theoretical generalizations.

Contributors
Nani Bath • Dwaipayan Bhattacharyya • Nitin Birmal • Banasmita Bora • Rekha Chowdhary • Solano Da Silva • Harishwar Dayal • Dhananjay Joshi • Ashutosh Kumar • G. Gopa Kumar • Sanjay Kumar • Sanjay Lodha • Annapurna Nautiyal • Suhas Palshikar • Priyavadan M. Patel • Praveen Rai • Pushkar Raj • Harish Ramaswamy • V. Nagendra Rao • Maria Do Ceu Rodrigues • R.K. Satapathy • Sandeep Shastri • S. Mangi Singh • K.C. Suri • A.K. Verma • Yogendra Yadav

Timely and illuminating, this volume will be invaluable for students and researchers of Indian politics, as well as academics, political analysts, and journalists. It is also essential reading for all those who wish to understand democratic politics in India and its future.