New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) Many in the national capital heaved a sigh of relief as the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government won the trust vote in parliament Tuesday evening, saying it is good news as “elections are the last thing” that they wanted to face in the time of spiralling inflation. “It is a big relief that Manmohan Singh’s government has won the trust vote. Elections are the last thing that we need at the moment,” said Shirish Shukla, a student.

“In any case, the elections are slated for next year, so why do we need to go for it right now and blow up several billions of rupees,” Shukla told IANS.

Kamini Tiwari, a housewife in east Delhi, said: “The nuclear deal is a not an issue on which the government should fall. Our parliamentarians should debate issues like inflation, which is really affecting the common man.”

“Thank god, Manmohan Singh won the trust vote. We need learned leaders like him, and not those who divide us in the name of caste and religion,” Tiwari added.

Rahul Kameshra, an event manager in the capital, said: “Now Mayawati (Uttar Pradesh chief minister) and the Left parties have learnt their lessons well. She will understand that she cannot topple the government.”

“The survival of the government will also help the share market shape up, which was staggering due to the political uncertainty driven by the Left’s withdrawal of support. The nuclear deal is good and it will help solve our future energy needs,” Kameshra added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh won the confidence motion in the Lok Sabha by 19 votes Tuesday evening - 275 votes in favour and 256 votes against.

However, there are some who are not happy at the outcome. Sudarshan Behuria, a young executive, said: “What is the meaning of this win? The government resorted to all kinds of wrong practices like horse trading to muster majority.”

“It would have been better to go for a fresh election and ask for the people’s mandate. Just for a nuclear deal, the government has put the Indian democracy to shame. Why are they not so serious about the price-rise?” Behuria added.

Himanshu Jha, coordinator of civil rights organisation Social Watch, said: “What was happening for the last few days was not less than a political jamboree. I personally think that the outcome was a slap on the face of Left parties.”

“Since the political uncertainty is now over the government should focus on curbing food price rise. Inflation is a pressing problem and the government must act on this issue,” Jha added.