Welfare Schemes, Not Ram Temple, Key to Modi’s Election Prospects: Insights from Across India
In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, it’s not the Ram temple but the transformative impact of welfare schemes that may secure Narendra Modi a third term, as observed by a recent cross-country exploration.
From Assam to Uttar Pradesh, individuals from diverse backgrounds echo a common sentiment: Modi symbolizes hope for a better material life. Three emblematic stories underscore this narrative. A taxi driver, an eatery owner, and a hotel manager all hail Modi’s welfare initiatives for their newfound prosperity.
Rashmi, a small-scale entrepreneur in North Bengal, praises the Mudra loan scheme, which empowered her to elevate her earnings and send her daughters to a better school. Similarly, Bhaskar, a former accountant turned taxi driver, dreams of expanding his business with the help of the same scheme. Meanwhile, Harsh Tiwari, a night shift manager in Ayodhya, acknowledges the tangible improvements in his family’s quality of life, including reliable electricity and enhanced employment opportunities.
Across regions, Modi’s initiatives have catalyzed socio-economic transformations. From improved infrastructure to access to banking services and LPG connections, citizens credit these interventions for their upward mobility.
The author’s journey revealed a groundswell of gratitude towards Modi for initiatives like Swachh Bharat, providing dignity through toilets, and Ayushman Bharat, offering financial security through medical insurance. Women particularly laud these efforts, recognizing them as liberating from daily indignities.
With a majority of young voters and a significant female electorate, the focus on welfare schemes could be pivotal in securing Modi’s electoral fortunes. While Ram remains a cultural touchstone, it’s the tangible impact of government policies that resonates deeply with voters across caste and ethnic lines.
As India approaches the polls, it’s evident that Modi’s path to victory may well be paved with the bricks of welfare schemes rather than the stones of the Ram temple.
