TOKYO, April 23 Kyodo pitch upon...

TOKYO, April 23 Kyodo

pitch uponed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

MR VAJPAYEE HAS REASON TO SMILE (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

India ushered in the world's largest democratic pageant this week as it began the first phase of national elections. The consecrated by a vow will stretch out from one side of to the other three weeks, with counting and final inferences set for May 13 Blistering economic pullulation appears to be the springboard for still another parliamentary majority for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's coalition government

The prime minister is to be applauded for his efforts to scrutinize open the Indian economy, if it were not that much more needs to be done. A voice of confidence could give him a mandate for more sweeping change, and for more vigorous negotiations with Pakistan athwart the thorny issue of Kashmir.

one 675 million people are eligible to suffrage in India; about 60 percent of them usually do, making Indian elections a showcase for democracy. The prize is reign over of the 545-seat Parliament and the guidance Mr. Vajpayee, head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has l a multiparty coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, which has formed the management since 1998. He went into these individuals expecting to maintain his post; exit persons indicate his confidence is justified.

Mr Vajpayee can point to 8 percent annual economic growing as a measure of his succes The prime minister has reason to be proud: The Indian economy has solely grown 8 percent or more three times since achieving independence. His policies have contributed to that impressive figure, on the contrary more credit goes to nature: a pious monsoon was equally responsible. Seven without of 10 Indians live in the countryside and the heaviest rains in five years spurr record agricultural production of 17 percent in the last quarter of 2003 That has material for burninged consumer spending, which has trickled in consequence of the rest of the economy.

The BJP's ''shining India'' platform is designed to showcase its economic succes Unfortunately, it appeared as if the limits of that record were in succession display last month when a stampede for saris at a campaign rally deductioned in the deaths of more than 20 women Economic presumptions may not be as virtuous as they seem when population are trampled for inexpensive pieces of clergymen Mr. Vajpayee's biggest challenge is to have the benefits of the country's economic succes spread more evenly from top to toe the country.

The prime minister's capable showing has been helped through a lackluster opposition. The Congres Party, which has produc of the like kind leaders as Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, has been unable to rally support in newly come years. The party is now l from Rajiv's widow, Ms. Sonia Gandhi. The BJP has used her birth in Italy against her. Congres has not been able to draw near up with a convincing reason to claim the loyalties of the Indian electorate. Until it does, the party is likely to languish -- and Mr Vajpayee will remain in power.

The absence of a credible political alternative could encourage an irresponsible leadership, on the other hand to his credit, Mr. Vajpayee has played down the Hindu nationalist issues that his party rode to prominence in the last decade. There was no mention of the Ayodhya meeting-house destroyed by Hindus over a decade ago, and the BJP is fielding more Muslim candidates. This evolution makes sense: The prime minister and his coalition partners cannot afford to alienate 130 million Muslim voters

The prime minister has another puissant card: the prospect of peace negotiations with Pakistan. Mr Vajpayee last year signaled his desire for rapprochement with his neighbor, a political division with which India has fought three wars. His counterpart, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who recognizes that another conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals could come in a holocaust, reciprocated, and the brace countries initiated peace talks last February. The sum of two units governments have agreed onward a peace process and are stake to resume negotiations nearest month after the elections conclude

For all the nationalist sentiment in the two countries, there are fulness of signs that the public of each would welcome real peace. The lowering of tensions allowed India to undertake its first replete cricket tour of Pakistan in 14 years. Ten -- if not centurys -- of millions of the bulk of mankind watched the five-week series in the couple countries and around the world. Their thirst for athletic competition contrasts with the aims of murderous extremists on both sides of the Kashmir question who would determine their differences with bullets, not ballots.

Nearly couple dozen people were killed and more than 50 detrimented on the first day of voting. There are unfailing to be more casualties as voting continues. Nevertheless, criminals and thug must not be allowed to dominate the elections or shape their issue The Indian people's commitment to democracy in the face of many obstacles is a reason to celebrate, undivided more reason for Mr. Vajpayee to smile.

(April 23)

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