Patna, Bihar – Sanjeev Kumar, a 27-year-old jobless business studies graduate from the eastern Indian state of Bihar, faces a desperate situation as his car salesman father nears retirement. Despite his struggles to secure a job in the Indian Railways, Kumar remains committed to voting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the ongoing national election.
Although Kumar and many other voters are dissatisfied with the economic situation in India, particularly regarding inflation and lack of jobs, their faith in Modi remains unwavering. Analysts attribute this to a variety of factors, including Modi’s efforts to elevate India’s global status, initiatives such as the construction of a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, and the ban on the Muslim practice of “triple talaq”.
While unemployment rates have risen under Modi’s rule, many voters in Bihar, like Kumar and Aman Gupta, believe that only Modi can lead India to global superpower status. Gupta, also 27, praises Modi for direct benefit transfers and schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable sections of society.
The opposition’s failure to present a strong alternative to Modi, along with voters’ perceptions of Modi as a strong leader with a vision for India’s future, further solidify support for the BJP. Despite concerns over economic distress, the BJP’s focus on showcasing Modi as a guarantor of progress and development continues to resonate with voters.
In the absence of a compelling opposition candidate and given their belief in Modi’s leadership abilities, voters like Kumar and Gupta remain steadfast in their support for the BJP, convinced that Modi is the best choice for India’s future.