The most populous democratic country in the world, India, is heading for its general elections next month. The five year term of the present United Progressive Alliance, UPA, has come to an end last month. The Election commission has announced the election dates for all the states across the country to elect 534 members of Parliament next month.

Based on the latest alliance negotiations, it is very clear that neither of the two major political parties, namely the Congress and the BJP, are going to get simple majority on their own. And either of the party which comes somewhere close to the simple majority, has to seek the help of either the Left parties or other regional parties.

Whichever way it happens, it is going to be a marriage for the sake of convenience, of different parties with different ideologies. That only can lead to more confusion on key policies and more delays on economic reforms. Especially the regional strong parties like BSP and Left parties do not favor any more reforms , and in fact they may insist on reversing some of the policy decisions already implemented.

And if the margin of dependence on coalition parties is higher, then there is a strong possibility of the new government falling down without completing the full term.  That could lead to more uncertain future, which the foreign investors and even the local investors may not prefer.