Election analysis in India Today - The Telegraph

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Party 1991% 1996% Swing%

BJP 23.5 20.8 +2.7
Congress 36.5 28.1 -8.4
NF-LF 24.9 20.2 -4.7

The BJP is the only party which has not only increased
the number of seats won, but also the votes. In its
strong states comprising of 320 seats, the BJP and its
allies got 185 seats with 36.0% votes. In 1991, the fig-
ures were 122 seats and 30.7% votes. In its weak states,
the party got one seat and 6.8% votes in 1996, against
two seats and 8.5% in 1991. The weak states are Punjab,
Kerala, TN, AP, Orissa, West Bengal, and North-East.
However, the performance in Orissa was 13.2%, which is
not stated in India Today.

The party has done exceedingly well amongst the educated
group, with securing 37% in the graduate category as
against 27% of the Congress. Thus the BJP's message is
not an emotional one, but based on logic. It also shows
that the 'progressives' no longer have a hold on the
minds of the people.

The 36% votes in the strong states is a clear indication
that the party's support base is spread amongst the class
and caste lines. It is clear that the canard that the
party is upper-caste and trader based is not true at all.

Namaste.

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