ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by Bhanu JoshiSubscribe to Bhanu Joshi

Urban Voting and Party Choices in Delhi

In most parts of the world there is a direct relation between economic and social well-being and political participation. India, though, is among the exceptions to this tendency. The poor in India vote more than the rich. This paper, using the case of Delhi, shows that neighbourhoods have a significant influence in voting patterns. The rich in poor neighbourhoods vote more than the rich in affluent neighbourhoods and the poor in rich neighbourhoods vote less than the poor in underprivileged neighbourhoods. This paper uses property tax and property categories to arrive at Delhi's wealth parameters and then tries to match them with voting patterns.

State versus Municipal Funds

The skirmish over non-disposal of waste in Delhi in May 2015 opens up bigger questions about the state-municipal relation over funds allocation and disbursement. 

Bill for Compulsory Voting

This article argues that the Gujarat government's attempt to legislate compulsory voting in local body elections targets the wrong symptom and gives the wrong medicine. The dichotomy of not willing to constitute local governments on one hand, and then making voting compulsory to enhance participation on the other, is simply absurd and risks setting a dangerous precedence.

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