This is the irony of our so-called democracy. Due to various reasons, overall voting percentage in the country is 50 - 60%, out of which 30% goes to the majority party (in this case BJP). What this means is that a party that has mandate from 15% of total voters in the country has an absolute majority. This is absolutely ridiculous and this whole thing about being a democratic country is just deceiving ourselves.
The first-past-the-post system is deeply flawed. To see this, imagine a scenario (not realistic, of course) in which there are only 2 parties, one of which gets 51% votes in all seats and the other gets 49% everywhere. The first gets 100% of the seats! Some system of compulsory primaries (in which all parties have to participate) could help to align vote share and seats. Also some proportionate representation.
Re: Vote shares
by Rajendra Nayak on May 18, 2014 02:06 PM
This is not new and known from 1947. If you bring this matter to the notice of the public you are attacked because you are questioning the gospel 'The Constitution of India'. Many representatives enter the parliament, assembly, municipal corporations and panchayat with very less percentage but nobody can question because a group from 1947 will say you are anti national by questioning the foundations of the constitution.
The game is concentrated Vs Distributed votes. For example, in WB, BJP has got 17% votes and two seats while congress has got 4 seats with 9% vote share. % of votes shows your reach but may not get translated to win unless % is very high or concentrated votes in a specific area.
