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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 NEW DELHI 001009 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
 
STATE FOR INR/MR 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
STATE FOR AID/APRE-A 
 
USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REPORT: INDIAN MEDIA HAILS 
VERDICT 2009; WISHES CONGRESS PARTY LUCK ON PATH TO 
 
REFORMS, STABILITY; NEW DELHI. 
 
Summary: The Indian media hailed the sweeping victory 
of the Congress Party and its allies in the country's 
general elections, saying India had voted for peace, 
stability and secularism.  THE TIMES OF INDIA 
editorialized that "voters rejected pretenders and 
chose to reward political parties and candidates that 
offered a positive agenda for governance."  THE HINDU 
opined that voters "rebuffed small-time practitioners 
of unethical politics."  The pro-Congress Party 
HINDUSTAN TIMES said, "[Congress Party President] 
Sonia's maturity, [son and party general secretary] 
Rahul's youth and [Prime Minister] Manmohan's integrity 
proved a magic combination." 
 
Why did the Hindu nationalist BJP and the communist 
parties "Left Front" fail?  Because their ideologies do 
not reflect the aspirations of the voters, the media 
said.  THE TIMES OF INDIA editorialized that "the BJP 
proposed a national agenda that appeared to be socially 
divisive."  On the rejection of the Left, THE HINDUSTAN 
TIMES said: "Its hidebound dogmas no longer excite the 
Indian voter, especially the youth." 
 
Mentioning the U.S.-India nuclear initiative as a 
significant factor, Sanjaya Baru, noted media 
personality and former press advisor to PM Singh, 
wrote: "Returning to the ideological center [by not 
giving in to the Left on the nuclear deal], enabled the 
Congress to return to the Center [i.e., national 
governance]."  Noted editor Vinod Mehta said Indians 
rejected politics of extreme, as embodied by the 
Leftists and the rightists (BJP), and voted for 
centrist governance (Congress).  The media are now 
expecting the Congress party to push ahead with further 
market and other reforms "now that the Left is out of 
the way." Commentary from India's leading English and 
language newspapers follows. End summary. 
 
"WHAT IS TO BE DONE" - THE TIMES OF INDIA 
 
¶1. Excerpts from an editorial in the May 18 centrist, 
independent THE TIMES OF INDIA English daily: (BEGIN 
EXCERPTS) "New challenges are shaping up that require 
urgent action.... The economy will not recover on its own 
but will need action by the government on multiple 
fronts: roads, power, education, reforming land and 
labor markets, efficient targeting of subsidies, 
balancing the budget through disinvestment and other 
measures, initiating more investment-friendly regimes 
and slashing red tape.... 
 
¶2. The outcome is that 21st century India is a much 
savvier country, with voters plumping for governance 
and development rather than the identity issues of old. 
The UPA needs to appoint its cabinet with care, weeding 
out non-performers...while inducting younger faces to 
make the cabinet more representative of the nation." 
(END EXCERPTS) 
 
"AFTER THE COUNT" - THE TIMES OF INDIA 
 
NEW DELHI 00001009  002 OF 006 
 
 
 
¶3. Excerpts from an editorial in the May 18 centrist, 
independent THE TIMES OF INDIA English daily: (BEGIN 
EXCERPTS) "Verdict 2009 has been rightly read as a vote 
for stability and continuity. Voters rejected 
pretenders and chose to reward political parties and 
candidates that offered a positive agenda for 
governance. The mandate for the UPA is as much an 
endorsement of the Manmohan Singh government's record 
in office as a rebuttal of political visions that 
appeared divisive and outdated.... 
 
¶4. The BJP, while losing ground in states that it swept 
in 2004, has maintained its national profile. However, 
it seems to have failed to attract new voters. This 
holds true of the Left also. Why did the BJP and the 
Left fail? Because their ideologies do not reflect the 
aspirations of the voters and the tactics they followed 
during the campaign alienated even supporters. The BJP 
proposed a national agenda that appeared to be socially 
divisive, whereas the Left's idea of nation-building 
was perceived to be at odds with the spirit of the 
times." 
 
"MOVE ON REFORMS, BUT PROTECT POOR" - THE ASIAN AGE 
 
¶5. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally 
circulating, centrist THE ASIAN AGE English daily: 
(BEGIN EXCERPTS): "One could almost hear the collective 
sigh of relief in business and trade circles on 
Saturday when it became clear that Dr Manmohan Singh's 
new government will no longer be dependent on the 
support of the Left parties for its survival.... 
Corporate India has a long wish list: it expects an 
avalanche of reforms to be announced without much loss 
of time. It points out that with the market-unfriendly 
Left out of the way, the government has no excuse left 
for not pushing ahead with reforms.... 
 
¶6. But there is a parallel view, both within the 
government and outside it, that while economic reforms 
must move ahead, the social impact of any proposed 
change - particularly on the millions of poor and 
marginalized Indians - must be taken into account and 
that the government should not move too fast in 
allowing foreign ownership of nationalized banks and 
insurance companies." 
(END EXCERPTS) 
 
"UPA'S AGENDA OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION" - OP-ED IN ASIAN 
AGE 
 
¶7. Excerpts from an op-ed in May 18 nationally 
circulating, centrist THE ASIAN AGE English daily by 
Arjun Sengupta, 
Economic adviser to former Prime Minister Indira 
Gandhi: "Pakistan is now facing an enormous crisis. The 
challenge to Indian foreign policy is how to help 
democratic forces and oppose the fundamentalists.... In 
the current international situation, a mature 
 
NEW DELHI 00001009  003 OF 006 
 
 
relationship between India and the US is essential to 
promote our external interests. We cannot bypass the 
US, not only in the context of Pakistan, but also in 
developing our position with the West Asian countries, 
even China. That was the lesson of Jawaharlal Nehru's 
foreign policy, which was independent, non-aligned and 
friendly to the then Soviet Union, but also never 
against the US." 
 
"OBLIGATIONS OF THE NEW MANDATE" - THE HINDU 
 
¶8. Excerpt from an op-ed in May 18 South India based, 
leftist influenced THE HINDU English daily by deputy 
editor Harish Khare: (BEGIN EXCERPT): "The voters have 
defied conventional wisdom and rebuffed the small-time 
practitioners of unethical politics. The recipients of 
the new mandate have an obligation to re-invent healthy 
governing practices.... Voters have now spared the 
Congress leadership the necessity of bad bargains with 
unsavory allies. The voters have left the Prime 
Minister no excuse for putting up with practitioners of 
bad governance, even if they happen to be part of the 
new compact coalition. 
 
¶9. The 2009 vote can also be interpreted as a rejection 
of the politics of negativism and exclusion.... Inherent 
in the 2009 mandate is a yearning for stability and 
coherence at the very core of the Indian state.... The 
2009 mandate has mandated Dr. Manmohan Singh to restore 
the moral elements in governing processes and 
practices." (End excerpts) 
 
"LASTING FRESHNESS" - INDIAN EXPRESS 
 
¶10. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally 
circulating centrist English daily INDIAN EXPRESS: 
(BEGIN EXCERPTS): The Congress party has been given an 
unequivocal mandate to govern. And make no mistake: 
this is a fresh mandate. It isn't, in any way, a 
continuation or an extension of the 2004 result. The 
Congress, in its post-victory enthusiasm, should not 
lose sight of that.... 
 
¶11. The Human Resources Development Ministry, which 
must be given to someone willing to take on the hardest 
of tasks, reforming India's antiquated educational 
system, in the teeth of both entrenched interests and 
with a deadline - the demographic transition waits for 
no one. India's single most pressing task is to develop 
the human capital of today's enormous set of young 
people, or the very real fear is that it will have 
missed the boat as a great power.... The mandate reveals 
the country is willing to try new things. The Congress 
must start giving India new faces, new ideas, and new 
reform. Now." (END EXCERPTS) 
 
"TURNING A PALER SHADE OF RED" - THE HINDUSTAN TIMES 
 
¶12. Excerpts from an editorial in May 18 nationally 
circulating centrist THE HINDUSTAN TIMES English daily: 
 
NEW DELHI 00001009  004 OF 006 
 
 
(BEGIN EXCERPTS) "The gentle Manmohan Singh showed that 
he was made of sterner stuff when he refused to back 
down in the face of ultimatums from AKG Bhawan [leftist 
headquarters) and carried the day. He has carried the 
day again and Mr Karat [leftist party supremo] has been 
left whistling in the dark. 
 
¶13. Thanks to his obduracy and much-hyped stance that 
he would not support either the Congress or the BJP, 
the Left is today up the creek without a paddle.... The 
writing on the wall for the Left is clear. Its 
hidebound dogmas no longer excite the Indian voter, 
especially the youth. Mr Karat would do well to try and 
reorient the Left's philosophy to reflect the aims and 
aspirations of today's Indians. Verdict 2009 is quite 
clear. The shibboleths of the past have been rejected." 
(END EXCERPTS) 
 
"VERDICT 2009: THE GAME-CHANGER" - DECCAN HERALD OP-ED 
 
¶14. Excerpt from an op-ed in May 18 South India 
circulating centrist DECCAN HERALD English daily by 
senior political columnist M.J. Akbar: (BEGIN EXCERPT) 
"The most important result of this election is that the 
elimination of regional parties from national space has 
begun. This was the message in north, south, east and 
west where Congress expanded its space at the cost of 
both friends and foes.... 
 
¶15. The BJP realized that development and governance 
were the decisive issues. But although its venerable 
leader L K Advani tried to define the party around 
modern needs, he was tripped by the rhetoric of those 
who thought that the country still wanted to hear the 
war cry of social conflict.... This is the major lesson 
for the next leader of the party: India wants peace 
with prosperity because Indians realize that prosperity 
cannot come without peace." (END EXCERPTS) 
 
"VOTE FOR PLURALISM" - DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS 
 
¶16. Excerpt from editorial in May 18 Western India 
circulating centrist DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS English 
daily: (BEGIN EXCERPT): "Most of all, it is the larger 
inclusive agenda of the Congress and UPA government... 
that has done the trick. Where the others offered 
identity politics, based on caste or religion, the 
Congress had a vision of pluralism and development... the 
country voted for a combination that promised 
stability." (END EXCERPT) 
 
COMMENTARY IN THE COUNTRYWIDE LANGUAGE PRESS: 
 
¶17. "RETURN OF CONGRESS," editorial in right-of-center 
DAINIK JAGRAN Hindi daily: "India voted for progress. 
If price rise and security were issues, then Congress 
wouldn't  have won... If is now time to think of a two- 
party system in India." 
 
¶18. "FUTURE CHALLENGES," editorial in centrist 
 
NEW DELHI 00001009  005 OF 006 
 
 
NAVBHARAT TIMES Hindi daily: "Reagonomics proved no 
good for U.S. and Britain. If Manmohanomics saved 
India, then let us not forget to give some credit to 
the leftists for their relentless pressure. This 
restraint will now have to come from within." 
 
¶19. "MESSAGE OF ELECTION RESULTS" editorial in May 18 
RASHTRIYA SAHARA Urdu daily: "The election results have 
proved that the Indian voters have rejected communal 
parties who believe playing hate politics. The venomous 
anti-Muslim speeches of Bhartiya Janta Party leaders 
didn't cut any ice. This shows India is secular!" 
 
¶20. "CONGRESS IS BACK TO ITS GLORIOUS PAST," editorial 
in May 18 AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ Urdu daily: "Some of the 
credit for Congress Party's victory goes to the Muslim 
voters too, who had distanced themselves from the party 
after the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992. Now we 
should hope that the new Congress party government will 
implement Sachar Committee recommendations for the 
welfare of the Muslim community." 
 
¶21. "WIND CHANGES DIRECTION," editorial in May 18 
nationalist Kolkata Urdu daily AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ: "The 
revival of the Congress not only in UP (Uttar Pradesh, 
the largest Indian State) but throughout India has been 
made possible by the Muslim electorate in the country 
and this support will continue...." 
 
¶22. "WELCOME DEPARTURE," editorial in May 17 
independent Kolkata Bengali daily, ANANDABAZAR PATRIKA. 
"Indian voters have placed national political issues 
above regional politics. The result of this election is 
decisive and it clearly shows that regional parties 
have become weaker...." 
 
¶23. "VOTER IS KING" editorial in May 18 largest 
Assamese daily left-of-center ASAMIYA PRATIDIN: "No 
matter what the political parties' had thought or done, 
it was the people who took the ultimate decision. And 
they know what is good for them and for the country as 
well." 
 
¶24. "MANDATE FOR STABILITY," editorial in May 17, 
Bangalore-based left-of-center Kannada daily PRAJAVANI: 
"The electorate has voted for stability and 
development. They have rejected divisive policies of 
BJP on the lines of religion." 
 
¶25. "SATISFYING RESULT," editorial in May 17, 
Bangalore-based, independent Kannada daily KANNADA 
PRABHA: "It is really satisfying that finally the 
electorate voted a stable government at the center. Now 
the Congress has got a great opportunity to build a 
cabinet, which can really bring positive change to the 
country." 
 
¶26. "BIG BLOW ON THE EGOS," editorial in May 17 
Chennai-based Tamil daily, DINAKARAN: "People have 
inflicted a big blow on the egos of opportunist 
 
NEW DELHI 00001009  006 OF 006 
 
 
leaders. People have thrashed political opportunism." 
 
¶27. "STRONG AND DECISIVE VERDICT," editorial in the May 
18 right-of-center Gujarati daily MUMBAI SAMACHAR. 
"Left leaders that tried to stymie the bilateral Indo- 
U.S. nuclear deal failed to convince the smart voter 
why the deal was not necessary for meeting India's vast 
energy requirements..." 
 
¶28. "A CLEAR WIN OF THE MIDDLE-OF-THE ROAD APPROACH" 
op-ed article by senior editor Suresh Dwadashiwar in 
the May 17 centrist Marathi daily LOKMAT. "Indians have 
shown a complete lack of interest in the abrasive 
religion-based politics of the BJP, and they have also 
disapproved the Left stance which obstructed the 
Congress-led government's efforts to ink the landmark 
Indo-U.S. nuclear deal... The popular vote is therefore 
against extremist blinkered thinking." 
BURLEIGH