The world's largest democratic exercise will involve a staggering 814 million voters, an increase of some 100 million from 2009 and a sharp rise from the 176 million in the first parliamentary polls of 1952.

The benchmark BSE Sensex has gained in the month before elections in each of the previous six elections, with the biggest advance coming in 2009 when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won a majority.

Indian stocks largely shrugged off weak European opening as realty, capital goods and banking stocks helped the bluechip index close in the positive terrain after it witnessed intra-day volatility, said traders.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency commenced weak at 61.90 a dollar from previous close of 61.85. It eased to a low of 61.92 in early trades. However, helped by positive cues, the rupee later rebounded to a over one-month intra-day high of 61.6650, before concluding at 61.75-a rise of ten paise or 0.16 per cent.

The government cleared a proposal of the Election Commission of India to raise expenditure limits for Lok Sabha elections to a maximum of Rs 70 lakh and a minimum of Rs 54 lakh, allowing candidates to spend more on their poll campaigns.

Nilekani will contest Lok Sabha election on Congress ticket. His name is doing the rounds for Bangalore South constituency, but the Infosys co-founder did not say when he will join Congress party.

The finance minister could not change the tax regime vastly, as it required legislative approvals and is generally left for the next government in an election year. WATCH: Chidambaram presents Interim Budget for 2014-15. The direct tax rates were left unaltered. But that did not stop him from indulging in some self-acclamation for meeting key targets while highlighting achievements of his government.

The economy is on a continued slowdown mode and in the current fiscal year 2013/14 is likely to register 4.5 per cent growth at best, if not a little lower. Our expectation from the government in its last leg is to halt the process of decline and pave the way for a turnaround beginning the new fiscal year.

Finance ministry officials are running against time to meet their disinvestment and fiscal deficit targets. The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates of the general election in the third week of February. Once these are set, all kinds of restrictions will kick in.

One of the biggest problems is attracting global players, who still do not find India's power sector attractive. The second phase of allocation of ultra mega power plants saw only domestic bidders.

AAP's economic thinking is influenced by both left-wing and centre-right ideology, among other schools of thought. The heart of AAP's economic policy will lie in vesting crucial decision making in to the hands of the common man.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said that the economic growth rate is likely to touch 7.5-8 per cent next year.

Arvind Kejriwal is talking corruption, Narendra Modi is talking development. What does Rahul Gandhi stand for? At least it is not clear to me, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Founder of the non-religious, public service organisation, Isha Foundation.

Brushing aside apprehensions expressed by a rating agency, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the government will stick to the path of fiscal consolidation and endeavour to narrow the deficit to 3 per cent of gross domestic product by 2016-17.

If there is one story that high voter turnouts tell us is that something changed in India with the Anna Hazare movement. He engaged the long-estranged middle class and enthused it into taking an interest in politics

The Empowered group of ministers has approved the Telecom Commission's proposal that recommended 15 per cent and 25 per cent hike in auction base price of spectrum, above the Trai's suggested price. However, the reserve price is lower than the one fixed for failed auction of November 2012.

In a letter to the Finance Ministry, the Election Commission has said government should ensure that no publicity of the bank opening be done in poll-bound states.

Almost all poll pundits say it is highly unlikely that opinion polls can influence the outcome of elections. The only way surveys can influence the voter is if all of them predict the same result. The fence sitters are then likely to turn to the winning side.

Digital media is changing the way political parties interact with voters. Digital media strategies are now part of the overall campaign briefs, and parties are spending an increasing amount of time and resources to mobilise netizens.

The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman said the government has taken steps to push the infrastructure sector and there are signs of improvement in the core sector production performance of steel, power, coal and cement during July and August.