As India prepares to conduct the 17th Lok Sabha elections from 11 April 2019, the first phase of its largest democratic exercise will witness polling in 20 states and Union Territories. A total of 91 parliamentary constituencies of the 543 will decide the fate of present BJP government, which is pitching for a second term.
With this political carnival in full swing the nation witnesses fierce campaigning, last minute scheme promises, electoral lollipops, cash doles and emphasis on what is ‘national’ and its antithesis.
Rural India being the bedrock of this raucous jamboree attracts the largest amount of attention and hangs its fate by a thread of promises year after year. Even though voters are expected to cast their vote and choose their representative, the picture that emerges is a distant dream from any carnival. Social distress, lack of basic facilities like drainage system, drinking water and inaccessibility to various government schemes rules the scene.
Ramapal, a farmer from Chowki village in Uttar Pradesh hasn’t received any fertiliser subsidy but still wants to vote for BJP government. Citing his reasons he said, “I am not getting proper price for my crops in the market and it is getting worse day by day. I have taken many loans for the same and struggling to pay them back. But my vote will go for Modi government as I believe he will do something for the farmers.”
Even though the common man is struggling to access basic facilities, he is ready to give Modi another chance. Naresh Bhati from Akhalpur village, said, “Nation’s security is the most important thing for any citizen of the country. I will vote for BJP government.”
A 75-year-old farmer from Makandpur, Veer Narayan, said, “Sarkar ne kuch nahi kiya hai par hum phir bhi Modi ko vote denge. (The government has done nothing for us but we will vote for Modi). I am a farmer and I face a lot of problems when it comes to getting subsidy and loans, but still, I have faith in Modi.”
Modi is BJP’s face for 2019 election like 2014. Despite having many problems, people are looking forward to Modi as a PM candidate.
A resident of Bisada village in Dadri, Dharmendra said, “There is much to change in the country. In our Bisada village, we don’t have access to basic medical and education facilities. We have to go to Dadri for any medical emergency. For better education opportunities we have to send our kids to Ghaziabad.”
He further added, “Muslims, Dalits and other lower caste people from Bisada will vote for the SP and BSP alliance which will give BJP a tough competition.”
When asked about development work under the BJP rule, a resident from Bisada, Raju Sharma said, “Mahesh Sharma [BJP representative from Gautam Budh Nagar] has done nothing for the village. There is no degree college in our village, so kids have to go far. But I think Modi is capable of doing more.”
Even as the government claims complete success for schemes like Pradhanmantri Ujjwala Yojana and guarantee its outreach to remotest corners, but people’s claim contradict his. Many managed to get gas cylinders but did not get the subsidy amount back in their accounts.
Rachna, a local resident of Jhajhar village in Uttar Pradesh expressed her grief of not getting the benefits of Ujjwala Yojana. She said, “I have to buy gas cylinder for Rs 1600/- but no subsidy amount came in my bank account from the last one year. BJP government builds toilets in our village but we can’t use them.”
Deepak’s family lives in Harola village on the footpath from the past 32 years and does pottery work for a living. He said “We have Aadhar Card and we cast our vote every time but haven’t got any benefit from the government. We don’t even have our Ration card despite applying for it four years ago.”
“None of our children go to school as government schools refuse to take them and we don’t have the money to send them to private schools,” added a woman from Deepak’s family.
A local shopkeeper, Yusuf from Muradnagar village, said “BJP government hasn’t worked at all. There has been no development in our village under the BJP rule. I suffered a lot at the time of demonisation.”
He added, “People like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi left the country and government did nothing. The common man has suffered through all this.”
Voices In The Wind 