There is more than a passing similarity between last year’s general elections in India and the just-concluded UK general elections. In India, the Modi-led BJP won a majority on its own, putting an end to years of coalition governments. In the UK, the David Cameron-led Conservative Party won an overall majority on its own, stunning pollsters and pundits alike. In India, Modi’s overwhelming victory was widely seen as setting the stage for massive change. In the UK, these elections are also a precursor to some significant changes, from a potential exit from the EU to the revival of the Scottish independence movement. But there the similarities stop. After their crushing defeat, the leaders of the parties on the losing side were quick to own personal responsibility for the rout of their respective parties. Labour’s Ed Milliband not only resigned from his party’s leadership, but even quit politics. Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats, also quit as party leader, though hanging on to his ...
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