Indian elections aren't known for their clarity. Messy, cacophonous affairs, they stretch across months and almost invariably result in fragmented verdicts. Political groupings are opportunistic, driven by personality rather than issues; competing party platforms are often indistinguishable. This year's parliamentary elections-the nation's 16th since independence, running from April 7 to May 12-are proving an exception. The distinctions between India's leading parties are unusually sharp; the race is shaping up as a genuine battle of ideas, a real debate over the direction of the nation.
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