Click here to read the initial comments we received

I read the news of the BJP's victory with cautious optimism. While I hope that the elections will bring some measure of stability to the Indian political landscape. One has to wonder how that can be achieved within a coalition of 24 parties, each with its own goals to achieve. Now, that they have own the election. That is when the infighting will begin, with each jostling to gain high positions. With such a diverse coalition, I won't put much hope in the present government surviving and finishing its full term. But alas, one can hope.
Barry Ryan Shah, Singapore

BJP's victory will mean more misery for the religious minorities of India, more expense on arms in that desperately poor part of the world. It is a victory for jingoism and hate.
Omar, USA

I am extremely proud of the Indian authorities who conducted the world's largest election. I am very happy for BJP (whom I support), but most of all I am thrilled that Lallo Prasad Yadav got thrown out. This truly shows that the people of India are smart and can stand up for themselves. Jai Hind!
Aman Datta, USA

First of all I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the voters who have elected BJP and its Allies.
Secondly, I like to congratulate Mr. A. B. Vajpayee and its Allies for their victory in the 13th Loksabha.
Thirdly, I must request the elected members of BJP & its Allies not to fall in the trap of Dirty tricks of all opposition Parties and Other Nations who have always played their role in destabilising India's Govt. and making the Country Poorer and Poorer.
Ajit M. Patel, USA

The good thing about the NDA coalition government is that it will not be dominated by the ideology of the right wing elements that still have a degree of influence on certain members of the BJP. The council of ministers will have to bury their differences in political outlook to survive their term. That should help them to focus on doing what needs to be done in as pragmatic a manner as possible. Good for India.
S. Alvin, USA

Now with election of the BJP, the quest for the "Hindu republic of India" is complete. Your idea of secularism was a farce from the beginning.
Jasim Khan, Pakistan

It is essential that the new Govt. be pragmatic and restore peace in the sub-continent and hold meaningful talks with Pakistan to "intensify" efforts in resolving the burning issue of Kashmir. It will be good for both the impoverished regions and increase economic growth and development which has constantly been ignored. I hope the Indian leaders have rational sense and not be hindered by the radicals and once and for all accomplish something substantial. May Atal Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif be on the list for the Nobel Peace Prize and may the useless enmity between the two countries finally end. (Sounds elusive, but possible.)
Shani Khan, USA

Why does everybody keep congratulating the BJP? BJP got pretty much the same number of seats as last time. It's the TDP under Chandrababu Naidu which is the real winner. This is a solid lesson to politicians (Indian or otherwise) that the easiest way to win elections is to provide good honest governance.
Sanjay, US

Democracy wins in India. It works well in Sri Lanka too. Pakistan and Bangladesh needs to improve so that the region can enjoy lasting peace and prosperity. Bangladesh and Pakistan were under military rule for long periods. They have been unable to disconnect "Church" from "Parliament" which India has done with great success.
Atanu Lahiri, USA

The masses of India now have understood that BJP is more secular than Congress. Congress always tried to use "Divide and Rule" without any focus on national issues. It was very evident when Congress destabilised BJP led government this year. I hope it has learnt a lesson and I am glad that an effective and strong government is back. I am sure that India will progress under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Vinay Daver, USA

Rather than Indian pride and all such esoteric non-sense I hope the BJP tries to help fill Indian hungry stomachs !! Nationalism, pride and all these crutch emotions are just another way of avoiding real issues. Politicians all over the world do the same thing and the BJP is no different .... and I'm supposed to feel warm and fuzzy all over because the BJP is in power and not the Congress. I guess they really did a good job of brainwashing all the people into believing their hype.
SR, USA

I am glad that BJP won. It is a pity that media is quick to call BJP a Hindu Nationalist party. It is like calling Republican Party in US to be a Judeo-Christian Nationalist party. It does not put Hinduism above other religions, at least not officially. Incidentally, the Indian National Congress alliance includes "Muslim League", an explicit religion based party, and is still being portrayed as a secular party. party.
Asim, USA

Congratulations to India and BJP for a fair and democratic election. The BJP deserves lot more credit than being labelled as a right wing Hindu party only. It was the so called secular Congress party that encouraged communal tension to take advantage of vote banks. Vajapayee's credits are, Lahore peace proposal, bringing together Shia and Sunni Muslims together for the first time in Bareli and opening up of visits of Muslims families from India and Pakistan (back in sixties). I am confidant that with the blessing of Vajpayee, Indian Muslims will build the best mosques in the world and India will be home to the best Muslim culture in the world. Jayhind.
Chandrakant Patel Wisconsin, U.S.A.

I am happy with the result. I am also happy about the consciousness of my country people (Indians). Only BJP can build a strong and powerful India in economy, defence, education etc. I hope that BJP will last for full term.
Ajit K Mistry, USA

Victory has come to a truly Indian Party...one that does not have to rely on the charisma of some foreigner. This is the govt. that the people have a lot of expectations...and many times in the past have these expectations been let down by the Congress and other Third Front parties...Let India break away from the shackles of servitude to the 'foreigner' and repose faith in herself. We have taught the congressmen a lesson for their servile demeanour. Let us hope that we have found the right launching pad into the new millennium in the NDA. JAI HIND.
Gaurav Sinha, USA

It is disgusting that a proud, civilised, culturally rich history and future of India is being undermined in the name of democracy. BJP and its allies stand for nothing that the founding fathers of modern India - Gandhi, Nehru, Azad - toiled so diligently to build. Their vision and wish was clearly for a harmonious, tolerant and secular India where each individual, all religions, all classes would have the right to progress, participate in the decision making process and a opportunity to build India for everyone's prosperity. This last election has clearly demonstrated that the label "largest democracy in the world" is a sham. The system is now so corrupt that it gives credence to extreme fanaticism of Hindutva, the exclusion of the minorities and oppression of the underprivileged. In the BJP government there is no room for the Sikh, Christian, or Muslim viewpoints. The so called "lower castes" are seen a pariah and a means of exploitation. As an Indian, born and raised in India, with a family history of struggle against the British, and a service to the country, I am now extremely worried regarding the welfare of the minorities. The BJP and its allies - Shiv Sena, RSS and others - are now free to pursue their reign of terror on those they consider a threat to their politics and pockets. I wonder how many Christians will now be murdered, how many mosques torn down, how many communal riots instigated, and how may unprotected will get massacred. It may sound paranoid but the possibility of a Nazi-like "campaign of purification" is not out of the question. If that happens the holocaust will look like a minor footnote in history. I pray that the BJP leadership has will see reason and check the passions of their followers - otherwise India as we know it doomed.
Khursheed, USA

It's great to see BJP back in business. Well done. markets have boomed, economy is doing well, Moodys have rated us positively and hope there will be much better things to follow as we enter the new millennium.
Kshitij Anand, India

It's over. I am glad that BJP got the majority in the Election. I hope it should last for 5 year and give same stability to the country. I hope and I know that the next 5 years of BJP Rule will make India a major player in today world. Best of luck to Mr. Vajpayee and his team.
Prem Khedekar (USA),

I was very happy about the victory of BJP. I wish them for their future progress
Niroshan.T, U.S.

This election has proved that only the one's who perform will win. Another good aspect is the gradual polarisation of political parties which will help Indian polity in the long term.
Srinivas Aluri, INDIA

Great news for a Hindu nation to again have a Hindu ruling party
Piyush Parmar, United Kingdom

On one hand I am happy that in the next one or two years we can look forward leaving behind lethargy of elections. On the other I am apprehensive about the sanctity of the coalition. It is high time the people in the driver's seat of our economy leave behind their usual squabbles about power sharing and look towards being "leaders" in the true meaning of the word.
Sriram Narasimhan, USA

It is good that BJP has come into power, as they are the single biggest party in India now. But still it is big question whether the coalition will last for next 5 years with 22 regional parties. Hope there are changes in India. Tough times are ahead for BJP from each and every corner of India like Cauvery Water Dispute, Kargil, Indian Economy and so on...... . Hope they will do well.
Seth Boopathy, USA

BJP had won so many years ago, if they had taken minorities into their confidence by respecting the rights.
Matloob, USA

It is a good news for people who are committed to see India prosper. Gone should be the days when elections used to become too usual a thing. BJP can now concentrate on reforms rather than being pulled by other allies' issues. It pains to see the party leaders bicker over things not related to the issues of the country. Hope it will be an end to those things and will be a new dawn on Indian politics. Let it be so.
Raghu Kurnool, USA

The BJP should have got more seats that gives them opportunity to work without the hesitation of their opponents. This party is really worth for India and we will definitely achieve the good effects of these.
Chirag, India/D.R.

It is heartening to note that BJP has emerged victorious with greater majority. It has to impress upon the minorities that it is a national party and not a communal one and if it can do it India is bound to emerge even stronger under its rule.
A.N.Ramanna, India,camp.Nashua,N.H.U.S.A.

What a terrible result for India! Congress is the only party that is able to lead India into the new millennium. Viva Sonia Gandhi, Viva!
Shaun Stuart, South Africa

Congratulations BJP! Good luck - make India the great country it can be. Bring back peace, integrity & a healthy economy.
Maureen S. Sookaloo, USA

I am happy and satisfied with the results. I pray for the success of the new Government in India in bringing relief to the poor of the poorest and prosperity to the entire nation as well as promote peace in region.
Malik Muzaffar Hussain, Bahrain.

As a Pakistani I hope BJP makes all efforts to end the violence in Occupied Kashmir and make a real progress by giving the Kashmiri people the voice to choose their destiny. It is about time that India can prove to the world it truly believes in Democracy. It is also important for the Pakistani side to make all efforts to prevent further bloodshed. We are indeed moving to new era in human civilisation and fanatism is not the answer. Let's give peace a chance. BJP you must show the world that you are serious about stability in the region.
Gul Khan, Pakistan

I am glad that the BJP and its allies have won the election. The BJP coalition should assert itself and put a stop to the persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka
Rajasingham, Australia

I hope BJP is given a full 5 year term. This will determine the fate of the country for the better or the worse depending on whether they (BJP) live up to the hype of upholding Indian pride which seems to be absent since pre-independence struggle.
Eswar, USA

BJP should have got more seats than what happened. This will give BJP an opportunity to fulfil the dreams of frustrated and desperate masses of India. That means by steering the country through this difficult situation to a more progressive and powerful but friendly nation will remain our natural expectation.
Jai, India

This victory will make India economically and politically a strong power. I feel sad that some people look at the BJP as a Hindu nationalist party. This is not true as there are people of all communal backgrounds in the party. The PM himself is a liberal man and this will give India an opportunity to unite under one party. I wish them well.
Sudhansu Chakravorty, England

I am an Indian working in Japan and would like the ND alliance to last its full term. Hope BJP hard-liners and the regional parties would put aside their personal agenda and look to build a prosperous India. India needs more of the elected members' efforts to reduce poverty, improve health care and most importantly to broaden its educational base.
Antonio Vaz, Japan

I hope this time BJP Govt. keeps it's promises and does eveything possible to make this the best country in the world. The People of India have shown their faith and trust in them and now it's BJP turn to show how much they can do for the country. In this world there is no second chance of any one but BJP got one so They should use it wisely and in all best way. All the best for Mr Bajpayee and his team Jai Hind!
Anjan S., India

The BJP has won yet another election, congratulations to them. I hope however that it will strive to practice a secular version of government in which India's different religious groups are treated fairly. It is important to note that India only has a 13% Muslim population, however, that 13% is more than the number of Muslims in neighbouring Pakistan.
Ahsen Khan, USA

Another victory for BJP. Yet the fears of Coalition Government prevails. Will TDP and DMK be highly demanding like Jayalalitha in the past. Please save India and Indians. Give Vajpaye a 5-year term. Hope there will be economic progress and stability in India. Don't just criticise BJP as a Hindu Party. Applaud them for giving India an efficient government in the past year and hope for the best from them. Let NDA survive all odds!!!
Sunny Henry, Singapore

Well Done. It is long time that we have a Government who will care for India and not for petty communal differences and use the poor for their gains. We need to have confidence in ourselves and not depend on outsiders. With Swadeshi as the base this Govt can do what others failed India. We should use our tremendous capabilities in every field to Indianise everything and not merely become foreign dependent.
Dr. Raj K Jain, Malaysia

Atlast Indian electorate came up sensible. Vajpayee is the best choice to rule a country like India..
Ravindra Mohan, Thailand

We hope that this time there will be a stable government and there will not be any horse trading this time and our country will not be facing any elections for the next five years. Good Luck to BJP+ ALLIES
Shalander Malhotra, Australia

I am a bit doubtful if these results are the cause of joy for the country from the point of view that a single party has a majority to provide a stable government. BJP is not equipped with many sensible candidates and also misses on the quality of bearing a moderate attitude from its past doings. The country was much in a bad shape from secularism point of view during their past governance . Their efforts during Babri-Masjid Event was preposterous and they were actively involved in most of the mis-doings. Their verbatim is highly equivocal and full of illogical demagoguery. I fear that with this extreme attitude of theirs will India be able to sustain some peace in near future?
Imtiaz Rangwala, USA

Many congratulations to the BJP on a job well done. If they can show the same enthusiasm, understanding and determination in providing good governance we can hope for something positive in the 21 century. "Now is the time to stop talking and start the doing".
Vishal Baliga, USA

Growing up in India I am well aware of the hateful and blind chauvinistic patriotism of the Jan Sanghis/BJP supporters, whose identity itself is based on hatred of minorities and specially Muslims. Their existence and their unity will be shattered once they achieve power as hatred alone can never sustain any entity for long. They do have a golden opportunity to mature and get out of their narrow vision and immorality of their ideology and serve the country better if they drop their hatred.
Tayeb, USA

The victory of ChandraBabu Naidu shows that in India one doesn't have to resort to populist gimmicks to win. He has truly won on his performance and ability to bring development to the common man. The electorate should be commended for making a sensible choice.
Madhu Rao, USA

Again India proves it's democratic principles, even though the political system is going through an unstable phase in evolution. Unfortunately every short-lived BJP victory has to be preceded by a calamity. Earlier the babri mosque demolition and now the karghil war. But more than anything it was because of the congress party's stupidity to present Mrs.Sonia Gandhi, not a Indian born and with no political experience as the next Prime Minister of India.
John Michael, India

The election result has given India a stable and strong government. This is the time to put aside all political differences aside and to forge ahead a new future for the Indian people especially the 350 millions of the poor down trodden in India. Education is the primary target for the next 5 years.
Chia Kee Teck, Malaysia

Congratulations to the BJP on the success of wining the elections. Hope to see the country progress successfully under your reign.
Vipul Patel, U.K

Results will give stability and parties are gradually learning that today Indians can never be taken for granted and that they will have to perform to be elected. That clearly shows betterment for India in general.
Sharad Dave, India

It's a great day for all Indians we have finally got rid of congress, oh! Boy what a pest it was for the past 50 years.
MP Prasad, USA

It's a very good sign that the BJP has been voted back to power on a strong 'swadeshi' government can make peace with Pakistan. If Sonia Gandhi would have elected as PM, just to show her loyalty to her 'new' homeland she would have taken extreme measures against Pakistan just to prove her point. Otherwise she always would have been under pressure for being soft on her neighbour coz she is not an India herself
Salman Raza, USA

With the coming of the BJP led alliance into power at Delhi, the question uppermost in the minds of ordinary citizens in the remote North East State of Manipur is, while India addresses her security concerns, will she safeguard the security of the local populace of the North East State like Manipur, from the excesses committed by India's own security forces? This is relevant because 10 innocent civilians were gunned down by the CRPF as a reprisal measure after an insurgent attack on Oct 3, polling day in Manipur. Those victims including polling personnel, have been statistically included among those killed in polled violence !!
Yengkhom Ashish, India

This is the best opportunity for BJP to prove their governing ability. If they can bring in a national pride and bring in economic prosperity to the country and get over populist tendencies they may never have to look back.
Dr V V Lakshminarayanan, India

Indian voters make a big mistake to vote for the BJP. Most of these voters are illiterate, uneducated and most of them do not understand any of the big national and international economic issues that will affect their life within a few months. BJP is a capitalist party. It is a party of the Indians big business and traders. It promotes globalisation, privatisation, abolition of development planning, inequality, caste system, surrender to the multinational companies as most of the financier backers of the BJP (and of Congress) are agents of the multinational companies. It is talking about nationalism, but handing over the country to the multinational companies. This is a big mistake which the Indian voters will soon understand.
Dipak Basu, Japan

Results are indeed a pointer to the naked fact that the populace is getting matured. It cannot be fooled for all times. National political leaders should take this with a pinch of salt and behave themselves more sensibly and with a degree of maturity, which only can give a reasonable stability to the nation which is highly necessary.
Bakulesh Pandya, India

At last we Indians are on the right path to be a stable country.
Sudhakaran Ayiniyat, UAE

Let us hope the elected do not do the usual. The usual is live in the lap of luxury, suck the blood of the citizens and feed their mother and father that is corruption. Wiil the present MPs prove me wrong? I hope so!
Dr Bhogal, USA/UK/India

The BJP and its allies have been elected with a clear majority. This is a democratic mandate from the world's largest democracy to keep the policies of national security steadfast. India does not want a war with Pakistan, but is ready to retaliate, should Pakistan misbehave ... the Congress would have laid on its back, and exposed India's stomach.
Rahul Patel, India

I hope at least this time the politicians will act unselfishly and let this parliament rule for the next 5 years and bring some kind of political and financial stability to our great nation. I wish good luck to our country.
Hari Nair, U.S.A