BALLOT

543 Lok Sabha seats. More than 4000 state constituencies. Over 800 million voters. The world's largest democracy . . .From the time of its inception democracy in India has been dubbed 'miraculous' by the world's media and its elections as a spectacular exercise in human management. In Ballot Rasheed Kidwai takes us through his pick of seminal elections that have shaped Indian democracy both at the centre and in select states. Highlighting the unique challenges faced by a country that adopted universal adult franchise at the very outset profiling personalities who have triggered ground-shifts and analysing the causes and consequences of key electoral episodes he traces the very evolution of India's democratic process. Combining insightful commentary and colourful anecdotes Ballot provides a brief incisive examination of India's most momentous elections. ]