ISLAMABAD - Analysts say Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election bid has received huge financial backing from corporate sector, raising fears about integrity of the democratic process.
Niranjan Sahoo, of the Observer Research Foundation think-tank, told a foreign news agency that there is a trend towards plutocracy in the country.
The group thinks this year's contest can top seven billion dollars, making it one of the most costly elections in the world.
The analysts said political parties, particularly the BJP, are becoming more reliant on donations from anonymous businessmen, leading to a lack of transparency and worrying conflicts of interest.