Indian Elections : ”Maha-Kumbh” of fake promises

It cost only 1/2 Rs per Vote in 1952 Election , now it is Rs 1,200/= per vote

India is entering for 18^th Lok Sabah election in May-June this year. Every 5^th year India do voting to elect a government in the Centre based on the performance of ruling party and promises made by other political parties.  Overall elections are a fundamental aspect of India’s democratic system, providing citizens with the opportunity to elect their representatives and shape the country’s governance and future development.

Political Parties fight elections on Catchy Slogans –

Political parties since independence from 1947 has wooed the voters with attractive slogan to win the election by catchy slogans .

Promises by Politicians –

Promises made by NETAS during Indian elections typically cover a wide range of issues, reflecting the diverse needs and concerns of the population. Some common themes include –

Economic Development: Candidates often promise policies and initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and reducing poverty. This may include plans for infrastructure development, industrial growth, and investment in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Social Welfare: Promises related to social welfare focus on improving access to education, healthcare, and basic services for all citizens. Candidates may pledge to expand social welfare programs, provide subsidies, or enhance healthcare infrastructure to ensure better healthcare services for the population. I have seen the era during Indira Gandhi govt where one had to stand in long queues at Govt run Depot to get Keroseen Oil , Sugar , Atta  at cheap govt rates .

Corruption and Governance: Addressing corruption and improving governance is a common promise made by political parties. Candidates may vow to enact anti-corruption measures, increase transparency and accountability in government institutions, and streamline administrative processes to reduce bureaucracy and corruption.

Infrastructure and Urban Development: Candidates often promise to improve infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, including roads, transportation networks, sanitation facilities, and access to clean water and electricity. Urban development initiatives may focus on improving living conditions in cities, addressing urban sprawl, and promoting sustainable urban planning.

Agriculture and Rural Development: Given the significant portion of the population engaged in agriculture, promises related to agriculture and rural development are crucial. Candidates may pledge to implement agricultural reforms, provide financial assistance to farmers, improve irrigation facilities, and enhance rural infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

Security and Défence: Ensuring national security and defense is another key promise made by political parties. Candidates may pledge to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities, modernize the armed forces, and address issues such as border security, terrorism, and internal security threats.

Environment and Sustainability: With growing concerns about environmental degradation and climate change, promises related to environmental protection and sustainability have gained prominence. Candidates may commit to implementing environmental regulations, promoting renewable energy sources, and conserving natural resources to mitigate environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

Inclusivity and Social Justice: Candidates often promise policies to promote inclusivity and social justice, including initiatives to empower marginalized communities, protect the rights of women, children, and minorities, and address caste-based discrimination and inequality.

It’s important to note that while promises made during election campaigns can influence voters’ decisions, fulfilling these promises (Many are Fake )  often are not met due to various factors such as political will, resource availability, and the complexities of governance.

Un-employment :  Indian are facing unemployment since Independence at 1947. Number of School , colleges and University are increasing with literacy rate reaching 75%. But the youths are not getting jobs , the one who get the job he get under-employed. Most of the youth are not interested for their own business but look for a job , preferably Govt job. Today the un-employment rate has doubled from year 1950 .

First Indian Lok Sabha election cost Half Rupee / voter to Indian Govt

Conducting election every 5 year is very expensive considering Indian economy, however the Govt do spend to maintain democratic structure of India . Some of the election had happened when Indian economy was very poor and govt has a megere fund , still elections did happened and new Govt elected. In first election in 1950 it cost govt ½ Rs per Vote , but in 2024 Lok Sabha vote,  it will cost Rs1,200/ vote . It will cost Rs 120,000 Crores for 2024 parliament election , this cost is double than annual budget of Himachal Pardesh. The complexity and cost of voting has changes due to use of Electronic Voting Machine ( EVM ).

Election Promises : Unfortunately, like in many other democracies, Indian elections some times witness the making of promises by Politicians that are either unrealistic or insincere, often referred to as “fake promises.” These promises are made to sway voters’ opinions without genuine intent to fulfil them. Some common examples are as below :

Populist Slogans: Political parties may resort to catchy slogans and grandiose promises without clear plans or feasibility studies.  Eg. Garibi Hatao

Unrealistic Economic Promises: Some politicians may promise rapid economic growth or cash insentive directly to Voter Bank Account . eg Rs 2,500/= per month to women. Such promises may be made solely for electoral gain.

Empty Welfare Promises: Promises related to social welfare programs, such as free distribution of goods, may be made without proper budgetary allocations or sustainable funding sources. Eg. Free lap top to all High School going students.

Identity-Based Appeals: Politicians may exploit identity politics by making promises based on caste, religion, or regional affiliations to secure votes from specific communities. Superim court do not allow any reservation more than 50% , but some states has 65% reservation quota to please the Voters.

Infrastructure Projects with No Follow Through: Promises of large-scale infrastructure projects or development initiatives may be made during election campaigns to attract voters , despite lack of Funds and no project approval. Eg. Construction of dam for water shortage.

Temporary Measures for Short-Term Gains: Some promises may be aimed at addressing immediate concerns or grievances of certain voter groups without considering the long-term implications or sustainability of the proposed solutions. eg Giving free ration in Slum Area .

Overall, fake promises in Indian elections undermine the democratic process by eroding trust in political institutions and diminishing the accountability of elected representatives and Voter faith in the Election.

Fake promises are part of Indian election system

The list of fake promises are endless , some have logic which can be achieved in 10-15 years  , and other can be called as a pure jokes by playing with the sentiments of the Voters. Few fake promises  are below.

• 500 Square Feet house for all slum dwellers
• 20 Millions additional jobs per year for unemployed youth
• Rs 15 lakh  to every bank account from Swiss Bank Black money.
• 50% Women reservation in Lok Sabah , Rajya Sabha & Vidhan Sabha
• Cancelation of Income tax on salary
• Linking of all rivers of India
• Starting ship cruise in nearby village
• Free Scooty  and lap top to all high school girls
• Free health care in Pvt hospitals
• And there are endless Freebies offered during elections to the voters

One should be alert  during election , that many TAPRI type local politician ( Most of them not even 12^th grade pass ) will promise lot of progress in their area of election and also will promise Freebies to get their votes . But these type of NATAS are only seen once in a five year for 1-2 months  by giving fake promises to Voters and then vanish. Likewise there are political parties who are notorious for giving Fake promises to innocent voters.

I wish you Happy Voting !!!