Democracy owes it to the poor

Indian democracy owes its strength to these unsung heroes - the rural and urban poor whose faith in the system keeps it running

Wednesday's polling figures in Maharashtra confirm an enduring truth about Indian democracy: the poor uphold it while the affluent neglect it. The state re-corded an overall polling percentage of 60, which is certainly not very high, but the disparity between urban and rural Voting patterns is quite striking. Mumbai City district, home to India's wealthiest, registered a meagre 51.2 percent, with Colaba hitting a low of 44.49 percent. In stark contrast, the backward district of Gadchiroli, a Naxalite stronghold,. saw an impressive Indian 69.63 percent turn- democracy out. Thls pattern isnt owes its new. It reflects a paradox deeply in- Strength t O grained in our these unsung democratic fabric.