Photo : Messenger
India is gearing up for its 18th parliamentary election soon. It is expected that by May 25, a new formation is likely to take shape. However, an official declaration has not been made to date. But within the common framework, preparations have begun on a war footing.
In the aftermath of the political preparations for the election, a lot of calculations are taking place. There are a lot of new entrants to the ruling force, from erstwhile opponent forces to the current ones. The English calendar year 2024 began with the parliamentary elections of Bangladesh on January 7, which was followed by Pakistan during the mid-February month of the same year. Now all eyes and focus have been centred upon the parliamentary elections of one of the biggest democracies on the globe, the People's Republic of India.
Though the elections are likely to begin in April thereby the process to terminate falls on May 2024. As stated by May 25, 2024, a new formation of the government is likely to take place. If anybody, meaning political analysts of India and Bangladesh plus the rest of the globe, is asked to evaluate the upcoming election. It might be termed as an uphill task. Irrespective of uttering negatives, one should aim forward to evaluate the upcoming Indian election with a bold heart and mind.
During the last five years of the Modi regime, development has no doubt taken place. The pattern of governance rendered has been good but not remarkable. In this regard, some of my online readers from India and Bangladesh might agree with my views, whereas there are quite many who might not agree with my views. But the actual picture should be projected to my revered readers.
Now coming to the upcoming parliamentary elections in India. Let me state at the outset that citizens of this vast nation have skyrocketing expectations. There might be many, but among all, some of the common ones are stated as such, controlling price rises, ensuring the safety and security of common citizens of the nation, proper management of our governance, ensuring pleasant and cordial relations with Bangladesh and other closer, cum cordial neighbours, investment in new businesses for economic growth, overall law and order situations of the nation, etc.
To throw light on Indian parliamentary elections. We should not be focused only on the capital city, New Delhi. If we are aware of the overall scenes of the nation, then we find that there are in all 29 states and 9 union territories. Hence, it can be easily imagined what a tough task for the Prime Minister and his ministerial colleagues, the Chief Election Commissioner of India and finally the law enforcement agencies of the nation.
Already, the strategies for the elections have been adopted. The promising candidates have been selected for this year’s election. We are eagerly waiting for the formal announcement. Already, in some sections of social media, the names of some candidates have been announced. The common citizens are already aware that the countdown has begun. From April the process will begin. Which will end in the middle of May.
Now the prices of essential items are more or less under control. Cooking gas, which is the livewire for the common citizen, has been brought down further recently. Now the price of cooking gas has come down to Rs 840. Even the prices of essential items which are consumed by the common citizens have also come down drastically.
The moot point which strikes the mind of this writer is from Kolkata, India. That whether price reductions which are taking place will remain so forever. The rational-minded citizens of India have a trace of doubt in mind. The moment the new government is formed. A couple of months after the formation of the above, there will again be an increase in the price level of essential items. Common citizens too of the nation are already aware of the shock that will be generated from July to August onwards.
During the past five years or so, we find that economic growth has risen to 5.6%. Which is 7% of our GDP. During the year-end, which means the end of December 2023, industrial production rose by around 4%.
Now coming to the employment scenario in India, it is found that there are around 53 million unemployed citizens of India. In perspective to the figures stated above, it has been deciphered that around 35 million are sincerely diligently looking out for prospective employment, whereas 18 million are trying but committed to securing jobs.
Despite the data about employment given above, the first and foremost area which we have to emphasise is about up gradation of literacy levels. That means literacy level needs to be developed at any cost.
Regarding the issue of parliamentary governance, it is found that the role of opposition conclaves is very shocking. There might be various critiques of Modi. Yes, in a modern democratic setup, criticisms by the opposition forces are always welcome.
Modi’s role as a leader might be different from others. His motive is purely business-oriented. He wishes to develop the economy of this vast nation. The employment level to date is not at all satisfactory. In the manufacturing sector, along with consumer trade, one needs more stark development.
At present, growth in the manufacturing sector stands at 4.7% during the fiscal year 2022-2023. The consumer trade growth rate stands at 14% till the fiscal year 2022-2023. Current agricultural growth stands at 4%, as per the 2023 figure.
Now countdown has already begun on a war footing. More ups and downs are likely to take place. But still, it is felt by the citizens of India that the euphoria of the polls is in full swing and momentum. The opposition block is fragile. During the past two months or more, the entry of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay into the Indian political bandwagon has been quite significant for us. By now, all of us are well aware of the logic behind Justice being inducted into the BJP fold.
Everything is set in order. The only thing left is that actual formality will shape up within May 25. More analysis will be written by this writer from India later on. The common citizens are amid multifarious expectations during the post-election phases. Which is no doubt a common phenomenon.
The writer is a journalist and writer based in Kolkata, India. He can be reached at [email protected]
Messenger/Disha
