Indian Elections Ahead: Job Creation, Food Insecurity and Political Polarization

The upcoming Indian elections will span a six-week period, with results not expected to be announced until June 4. Professor Irfan Nooruddin of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service recently discussed the key issues on voters’ minds during a recent conversation with John Yang.

Nooruddin highlighted that many of the concerns mirrored those found in elections worldwide. Despite positive signs of economic growth at a macro level, job creation emerged as a top priority for voters, particularly among the less skilled and rural populations who remain highly insecure about their job prospects. Additionally, worries about food inflation and food security were prevalent among voters.

The ruling party has been emphasizing their success in transforming India into a global player and a strategic partner of the United States, urging voters to trust them to further elevate the country to middle-income status and an advanced democracy. However, the opposition is striving to shift the focus to issues of increasing religious intolerance and what they perceive as democratic regression in order to garner support from voters.