the people have given them a reply
But the Congress party focused on the country's 300 million people who still live on less than one pound a day. It hammered away at the lack of basic infrastructure, electricity and potable water for the rural poor.
"The BJP raised the slogan of development, but the people found there was no real development on the ground," said Kuldip Nayar, a political columnist and a member of the upper house of parliament. "This is a verdict against globalisation. Now the next government will have to think how to employ more hands, than machine."
The voters also appeared to have listened to Ms Gandhi's push for a secular India.
Guardian UK/AP May.13.04
