No single party is expected to get a majority, and the next government is likely to be an unstable coalition. The ruling party has also proposed an election tax on big business, the proceeds of which would be distributed equally among all parties. That was promptly rejected by business leaders. To win an election, a candidate needs to tour at least a sample of the 500 to 600 villages that make up an average parliamentary constituency. He also has to mobilize workers, distribute liquor or cash among voters and transport them to polling booths on election day.
Many candidates hire power-brokers and musclemen to lure or intimidate voters.
Little wonder that the collection of campaign funds is a perennial process for parties. Whenever a politician visits an area for a rally, his workers squeeze contributions from businessmen. The pressure increases in the months before elections. And as there are major loopholes in laws governing campaign contributions, all parties, except for the Communists, have long neglected to account for their campaign money. He recently petitioned the Supreme Court to order all parties to submit details of their campaign funds.