From Walk In The Park To An Uphill Battle: Game Is On In Indian Elections

Largest democratic exercise in the world, fate of 1.2 Billion people and major issues at hand in 2019 Indian elections

 

Within months’ time Indians across the length and breadth of the nation would vote for new parliament.

Like last elections, these elections would be the biggest democratic exercise in the world with more than 850 million registered voters.

Election results are difficult to predict in India due to hyper-competitive democracy comprising of 424 parties.

The contest is between incumbent Prime Minister Modi led BJP and opposition comprised of once dominant Indian National Congress.

It is exciting to see Indian outlook and who would they vote for come these elections.

 

 

Rising Unemployment

One of the biggest agenda and headache for the BJP this election is rising unemployment.

Despite promising 20 million jobs every year, Under Modi government, India has seen highest unemployment rate in 45 years.

According to NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) survey, unemployment rate stood at 6.1 %, which is higher than the previous highest point of 1972-73.

Over and above, Modi government is facing allegations of hiding and tampering the official data.

According to the survey, Modi’s ambitious Make-In-India campaign targeted at creating 2 Million jobs in domestic market has failed.

The labour force participation rate has also gone down from 39.5 % in 2011-12 to 36.9% in 2017-18.

Demonetisation has cost India a loss of 3.5 Million jobs in 2016 according to All India Manufacturer’s organisation.

 

Game of Ideologies

RSS, which forms the BJP’s backbone has advanced the Hindutva ideology.

The ideology believes in creating India as a complete Hindu nation, by supressing Muslims and other minorities.

 

India has witnessed a sharp increase in communal violence since Modi started his rule in 2014.

Reuters reported between 2014-17, India has seen 63 cow-related lynching events.

24 Muslims were killed in these attacks and other 124 injured or forced into resettlement.

In 2017, Bloomberg reported that according to the meat industry representatives, cow vigilantes have been stopped vehicles, beaten people and have stolen valuable livestock.

Modi has also advanced the Hindutva ideology by appeasing hyper-nationalists.

 

Distressed Economy

Modi has introduced several failed schemes that have not helped the distressed economy.

Two big economic initiatives, Demonetization and GST (Goods and Services Tax) have also failed to help the economy.

Economists say demonetization made no impact and forced poor in the country to stand in queues to withdraw cash.

While many fainted and died in these queues.

Farmers have also seen no improvement in their conditions, forcing them to commit suicides.

Many of them say that the government has turned a blind eye towards them.

Government has also let economic defaulters Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi flee the country.

There hasbeen rampant misuse of the constitutional powers and official authorities.

India in these elections is fighting for its soul and would consider all these before casting her ballot.