Ashutosh Kumar creator text xu| 2008 continuing ng p.54-60. The story of recent electoral democracy in India is one of a paradox. Most political parties affirm the necessity of economic reforms. Yet, this affirmation belies support for the same among large sections of the populace, particularly the poor. Even more paradoxical is the fact that political parties, despite their emphasis on policies related to the economy in their respective manifestos, tend to rely on identity issues for mobilisation. this article tries to explain the reasons for this puzzle. - Reproduced. Democracy Economic reform Economic and Political Weekly 180718