India Inc says no to independents candidates

India Inc is against its tribe contesting the Lok Sabha elections as independent candidates, because it feels that only strong candidates from political parties can contribute to having a stable government, crucial for economic development.

Independents like ABN Amro India chief Meera Sanyal entering the fray only eat into votes of strong candidates, weakening the chances of major political parties, a cross-section of leading industrialists have opined.

"Independent candidates take away votes from stronger candidates. They should join a mainstream political party to contest the elections," noted industrialist and chairman of Godrej Group Adi Godrej said. Real estate baron Niranjan Hiranandani said party-fielded candidates were "thousand times more effective" than independents.