Die Parlamentswahlen in Indien 2009

Abstract The Lok Sabha elections 2009 in India were a decisive victory for the Congress party and the ruling United Progressive Alliance. While the result of the election on the national level suggests a more stable political environment and a decline of power of the fragmented state parties, a closer look might reveal different dynamics. Hence, this study focuses on the crucial state level of Indian politics. First, however, the different and ever-changing alliances before the 2009 elections are described in detail. Second, and most importantly, the study analyzes the Indian parliamentary elections in some of the key states (Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Orissa), since the national result alone does not reveal the dynamics at the all important state level. Third, and finally, the significance of the election result and its long-term implications are assessed.