When Young India voted

We have seen yet annother celebration of democracy in the just-concluded Assembly elections. This is all the more exciting as many were looking to glean trends for the Lok Sabha elections of 2014. The country faces various challenges: High inflation for the last four years, low growth and lack of jobs for our youth, a dysfunctional Parliament, lack of strong leadership, and an aggressive challenger.

The world seems to mock us, with Italy, Maldives, Sri Lanka, an US University and our old foe Pakistan leading the way. Our business leaders are despondent, our political leaders overactive, eagerly eyeing the spoils of power, and our citizens worn down by worry about the future.

More came out to vote An amazing feature of this election was the huge increase in voting percentage: In Delhi from 58 per cent to 67 per cent, Rajasthan from 67 per cent to 74 per cent, Chhattisgarh from 71 per cent to 74 per cent, Madhya Pradesh from 70 per cent to 71 per cent. Obviously, something was cooking below the surface. We are seeing the youth of India send a message that they want a change in governance, a change in the politics and above all, a new India which measures up to aspirational India.

Around 30 crore citizens are in the age group of 18 to 30. Of these, many will be voting for the first time. Besides, 50 crore are below the age of 40. The majority of voters are 40 and below.

Most of them are born after liberalisation or developed their world view in the liberalised era. Partition, caste, religion, the Freedom Movement, Pakistan, etc., look distant to them. Most are unable to connect to the politics of our geriatric leadership, which seems rooted in the ideas of the past.

This is a new generation: of the TV era, one which has seen a period of high growth of 6.5 per cent per annum, worldly wise and better exposed to the world and in search of a good economic future.

This is the aspirational India, the India that wants good jobs, the means to buy a two-wheeler or a car, to have fun and enjoy the good things of life! A shift in their preference, a 5 per cent swing because of increased voting of this section holds the key to future governments.

What are our political parties offering them? Doles through free food, jobs to dig holes, free medicine and no hope. A religious identity, a view of the glorious past and a nanny state which decides for them!

India wants jobs I reckon the increase in voting percentage is a message from our youth that they want a different politics, the rule of law, the politics of unity, no tolerance to corruption, high growth and above all jobs. Jobs are the number one priority today for them and we are failing here.

Consider this. We have 3 crore students in colleges today. About 90 lakh graduate yearly; 40 per cent of them are women. An equal number or more are school and college dropouts.

The last four years have not provided them adequate jobs. They are angry and disillusioned. They demonstrated in huge numbers against corruption. They are coming out and voting in large numbers, responding to leaders who promise growth, jobs and a new politics. They seem to be shunning the status quo !

They also want a strong leadership. They want a proud India which the world respects. They are better informed, connected and aware.

They are demanding, and willing to fight back. Moreover, a larger number of our women are getting educated. They too are showing their preference for equal opportunity, equal access to jobs, better safety in our towns and cities and the right to decide their own future. They are fighting their own battle against a patriarchal society which wants to hold them back.

great Urban discontent The middle and urban classes too seem to be voting in larger numbers. They have suffered the impact of bad policy, a waste of their money paid as taxes, blatant discrimination against them in the allocation of resources, high corruption and a decline in the quality of life.

Our cities have degenerated, barring maybe a couple, over the last ten years. The traffic has become horrendous, the air more foul, public transport inadequate, water scarce, roads with potholes, power cuts, lack of sewage connections and non-availability of good affordable schooling. Their lives too seem unsafe, women more unsafe than earlier.

The police seem to exist only for the political leaders who live in luxury on their money.

Obviously, even though we have grown, our growth has proven inadequate to maintain a decent quality of life. Government services have degenerated and corruption has increased.

They see the wealth of their leaders increase hugely, with many of them running businesses oblivious to their pain. They have seen crony capitalism grow, accompanied by the open loot of our natural resources and a decline in justice delivery.

They too are looking for a different polity and a stronger leadership. There is great urban discontent and this has shown up in Delhi in the massive vote against the Congress and for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Such discontent exists in all urban areas waiting to find utterance.

All across India, the mood seems to be for change and for a new, more liberal, fair and just India. Many citizens are looking at China too and wondering why India cannot do a China and grow more rapidly with better infrastructure.

The message is clear. India has changed. Our voters want change, growth, jobs, not rhetoric and corruption!

(The author is Chairman, Aarin Capital Partners.)

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