2014 more important than 1977 polls: Lord Desai

Desai called India a nation of many nations and said the elections gave it one identity.

"What kind of a nation is India? It is a multinational polity, not a single country. It was created as a single country in the 19th century and became one thanks to elections."

Pointing out at the lack of issues in election debates, agriculture and food activist Devinder Sharma said all the focus was on GDP and a hope for change.

"There is euphoria... GDP is not a symbol that all is well... Even when the growth was eight-nine percent, it was a jobless growth."