Did 'wake and vote' campaigns help Congress?

Was there any link between the sustained campaigns by civil society groups asking people to "wake up and vote" and Congress' decisive victory in the elections?

Was there any link between the sustained campaigns by civil society groups asking people to "wake up and vote" and Congress' decisive victory in the elections?

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If analysts are to be believed then, yes -- there may be a link -- as they think the well-planed campaigns to make citizens aware to vote have had an impact on overall outcome of the election.

"People were looking for a cleaner political scenario and I think the campaigns had helped the Congress as their agenda was more positive in nature," said Bidyut Chakravorty, a professor at Delhi University.

Chakravorty feels the sustained and systematic campaigns across the country by various groups had a positive affect on the youth and urban voters who voted to ensure "stability and change."

This election saw sustained and well planned efforts by various civil society groups, corporate bodies and even Bollywood actors to encourage people to exercise their democratic rights.

Sociologist Javed Alam feels though there were so many factors for Congress' victory, the campaigns by the civil society groups had a "marginal effect" on the urban voters to vote for the party.

"People wanted to see a new breed of politicians who are focused on good governance and development instead of politics of hate and divisiveness. These campaigns could have some effect on the urban voters," says Alam.