Irish Examiner view: Serious test of Indian democracy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally on March 7. Modi stands accused of wielding an ever-heavier hand as he tries to steer his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a third successive victory and India into his vision of a Hindu nationalist monolith. Picture: AP

In the middle of next month, the world’s most populous country, India, will go to the polls in what is expected to be a bitter election which may or may not present a third term in office for prime minister Narendra Modi, who has become an increasingly divisive figure in the country’s politics.

Modi stands accused of wielding an ever-heavier hand as he tries to steer his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a third successive victory and India into his vision of a Hindu nationalist monolith.