Now that the election results are out, Financial Times opinion at FT.com list the meaning of surprising strong showing by Congress.  The article notes 7 lessons that can be learnt from this election results.  I will note 3 that are relevant here.

• Lesson # 2: Given the fact that 65 per cent of India’s voter base is between the ages of 18 and 35, is indicative of what an ideal political campaign must be. It must feed on issues pertaining to development and progress and not be regressive in its thinking. I believe the logic of aligning youthful idealism with policies and manifestoes is never more critical than it is in today’s times.
• Lesson # 5: The nation has moved from regionalism to federalism and this is a tremendous signal of the maturity of the Indian voter. We are now seeing the return of the two major parties: the Congress and the BJP and the demise of regional factionalism and certainly the blackmail opportunities that were effectively the birthmark of these fringe parties.
• Lesson # 6: The great divide between Bharat (rural or poor India) and India will remain. But this divide is easily bridged when it comes to voting in a government at the centre. And this time round, we have seen that divide melt because the aspirations of the people remain the same even though the definition ad intensity may vary.

You can read all the lessons learnt in article titled ‘Singh is re-king’.