The noted economist believes it's time that the Constitution was changed to ensure stability ``since no single party is likely to get a majority in the next 15 years''.

Patel remembers a time when elections were more ``civilised''. He says, ``Conducting elections for over a month is absurd, but I guess one has to put up with such things. The change has been brought about by the high degree of insecurity in politics and, of course, violence.''

The media's role in the poll process, too, has changed, believes the septuagenarian Patel. ``Time was when political parties got some air time on national television or their leaders addressed large gatherings. Today, the media seems all important,'' he says. ``But the election analyses and poll-related programmes have animpact only in the urban areas. The rural electorate continues to vote along traditional lines.''

According to this observer of electoral behaviour, vote-banks were an offshoot of the greed of central leaders to keep power to themselves. ``Politics offers a lot of gravy,'' he remarks. ``At that time, no one could guess the impact they would grow to have.''

Patel believes there were no real elections till 1972. ``Maybe it was cheaper for the business community to continue with the same ruling party,'' he says. ``At one time it did seem that Rajaji's Swatantra Party would put up a strong fight. But, mysteriously enough, that did not happen.''

If the Emergency saw corruption take root in the Indian polity, the '80s witnessed the beginning of the trend of wasting money in elections. ``The economy was used to further political stability,'' Patel believes.

Through all this, India has continued to vote on emotion. ``In 1972, there were no issues: It was enough that India had won the Bangladesh war. Then camethe assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Personalities carried the battle. Even today, the BJP's campaign centres largely around Atal Behari Vaypayee.''

Despite his growing disillusionment, Patel doesn't believe that the decline in electoral standards cannot be reversed. ``Constitutional changes are necessary for stability. Besides, political alliances should also be declared before the polls,'' he says.