India Elections: Major issues: Jobs, national security, poverty alleviation
Updated 14:40, 21-Apr-2019
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02:57
Indian political leaders are raising many issues in their rallies. In the elections for the lower house, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid is to retain power, while the opposition is united in its aim to defeat him. CGTN's Ravinder Bawa takes us through the issues that can make or break a party's chances.
Farmer Devaraju, fends for his family by growing tobacco on a small piece of land. In this region agriculture depends on rains so he grows rainfed crops. From arrival of the monsoon to repayment of a bank loan, his worries are unending. As an interim relief to the farmers, the Indian government announced a scheme to pay less than a hundred dollars to the farmers but Devaraju is still waiting for the money.
DEVARAJU FARMER "In the previous elections they made a number of promises, but after they won they did not fulfill any of those promises. They were false promises. Now also we don't have rain. We are in great trouble. So we want to change the government."
Another cause of concern for him is his jobless son Purushotam who has completed his bachelors in commerce but is unemployed. Now he has no choice but to work in the fields with his father.
PURUSHOTAM UNEMPLOYED YOUTH "I feel bad. I feel depressed but I have no choice. It's humiliating to listen to people say that despite getting an education he is taking care of cattle. We have no choice. So I am working with my father."
A leaked government report places the unemployment rate at a four decade high. But in this election season issues like jobs have taken a back seat.
RAVINDER BAWA MYSORE "Much to the surprise of many, national security has become the defining issue. Experts say that this narrative might go in favour of ruling party, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being projected as a strong and decisive leader post Pulwama aerial strike on Pakistan."
The opposition says that the Modi is misleading the nation by projecting himself as a gatekeeper against the enemy. But Modi seems to know the pulse of the nation.
NARENDRA MODI INDIAN PRIME MINISTER "Our manifesto is our good governance manifesto. It is also a manifesto for the security of the country and this manifesto is also a manifesto of the prosperity of the country."
Whether the country has prospered under Modi regime will be revealed by the electorate on 23rd May when the election results will be announced.