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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: India Elections
HEADLINE: Midterm Test for Modi as India’s Most Populous State Prepares for Polls
TEASER: Battling disenchantment among farmers, the BJP emphasizes its record on restoring law and order in one of India’s poorest states.
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 02/08/2022 at 9:45am
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
DATELINE: Uttar Pradesh
VIDEOGRAPHER: Darshan Singh
PRODUCER: Jason Godman
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, wpm
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 3:42
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Five states in India will choose new state governments this month, but all eyes are on the election in its most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, that pits Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Party against a regional party. A victory here is seen as crucial for the ruling party ahead of national polls in 2024. Anjana Pasricha visited Uttar Pradesh and has this report.]]
((NARRATOR))
As he checks out his voting credentials in Didoli village, Bablu Tyagi has made up his mind. He wants the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to return to power in Uttar Pradesh.
((Bablu Tyagi, Didoli Village Farmer)) ((Male voice, in Hindi))
“Earlier the roads in our villages were filled with potholes. Now they are much better ... the government has increased prices of sugar cane and farmers get a stipend of 150 dollars every year.”
((NARRATOR))
A few kilometers away in a nearby town, many don’t share that sentiment.
((Haji Shafiq, Building Material Supplier in Muradnagar)) ((Male voice, in Hindi))
“In Muradnagar, there has been no development. Everyone’s business is hit, children’s education is affected, and young people are struggling to get jobs.”
((NARRATOR))
Polls in five Indian states that start this week are seen as a midterm verdict for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. The key test will take place in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state that is a political bellwether. Its main rival is a regional party.
These rural communities had helped catapult the BJP to power five years ago on its promises of development, jobs and better incomes for farmers. But this time the party is battling disenchantment in many villages in this sugarcane growing belt.
Raj Singh took part in a year-long protest last year demanding the repeal of contentious agricultural laws. In a rare concession by Modi, the laws were scrapped. But Singh is still angry.
((Raj Singh, Farmer)) ((Male voice, in Hindi Jalalabad village))
“We don’t get good prices for our crops. We don’t get paid in time. Farmers and farm labor is devastated.”
((NARRATOR))
His discontent is echoed by old and young farmers. The lack of jobs makes it difficult to move out of agriculture, but high inflation has hurt their farming incomes.
((Achin, Farmer)) ((Male voice, in Hindi Jalalabad village))
“Whether you take seeds, fertilizers, or electricity, prices have shot up. So, our incomes have not kept pace with expenses. From that point of view farmers are losers.”
((NARRATOR))
Some here also accuse the state’s chief minister Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu priest, of using religious issues to win votes of the majority Hindu community.
((Haji Shafiq, Building Material Supplier in Muradnagar)) ((Male voice, in Hindi))
“The BJP government has created a divide between Hindus and Muslims. We always lived like brothers.”
((NARRATOR))
The BJP says it treats all communities equally. It says it has restored law and order in a state with a high crime rate. Some agree.
((Aslam Kasar, Farmer Wage Worker)) ((Male voice, in Hindi))
“Earlier our animals used to get stolen, and the police would do nothing. Now I can put my cattle out to graze the whole day without worrying. Even if I don’t take them home at night, they remain safe.”
((Shiv Kumar, Office Supervisor)) ((Male voice, in Hindi))
“The government has done good work. They have ensured public safety and women’s safety. There is no fear in villages. Nobody can pressure anyone.”
((NARRATOR))
Which way these villages vote will influence the outcome in this primarily rural region. It’s a verdict that will be crucial for Prime Minister Modi ahead of national elections in 2024.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, Uttar Pradesh))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Uttar Pradesh
Embargo DateFebruary 8, 2022 10:34 EST
BylineAnjana Pasricha
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
