What the youth want

As many as 16 per cent of youths spoken to in the 18 to 25 year age group were clueless about what they wanted from the new government. Some of these youths had not got their voter cards made, others wanted to get it made only as an ID proof as they felt it would be pointless voting.

“I’m politically inclined as my father used to work for a party but my friends use excuses like the heat to avoid going to vote,” says a young photographer from Baisakhi Abasan. “The ultimate excuse is that all politicians are the same and voting for neither of them will bring any change.”

Some respondents could not come up with any issue that they felt were important. “I’ve never thought about it…the country should progress, I guess,” was a common answer.

Given that most in the 18 to 25 year age group were students, jobs was a burning issue for them. “Colleges provide campus placement but only the A grade students find jobs. There is no surety for B grade students and one cannot deny that they make up chunk of the student strength,” said an engineering student from Sector V.

Terrorism was a hot topic too. “What India needs today is a strong stand against terrorism. Pakistan cannot keep assaulting us and getting away with it,” said Sreyasi Banik, a third year student of Techno India. “Kashmir may be far from Bengal but these are national elections and we are Indians before Bengalis or Marwaris. We must unite in our stand.” Sreyasi also advocated the need for women’s safety.

Suyash Meloo, an NIFT student, puts faith a government that implements tough policies like GST. “We have a family business and have seen how the GST and customs norms have got simplified. I’ve been travelling abroad for years and have seen how India’s reputation has improved over the past five years. They have built toilets, provided gas connections…these have made a big impact in the national scale,” he said.

Age group: 18-24 years

Number of people surveyed: 56

What issue would determine your vote?

Jobs 20%

Stand against terrorism 16%

Don’t know 16%

Economic development 9%

Cleanliness, pro-environment policies 7%

Corruption 7%

Stable government 5%

Women’s safety 5%

Others: 15%

Roads 4%

Religious harmony 2%

Education 2%

Traffic 2%

Black money 2%

International image of India 2%

Poverty 1%

Who is most important to you — the party, the party’s national leader or the local candidate?

Party 4%

Party’s national leader 64%

Local candidate 32%

What level of issues appeals to you most?

National issues 81%

State issues 4%

Neighbourhood issues 15%

What concerns the elderly

Two out of 10 elderly respondents are alarmed by the Pulwama attacks and want strong measures taken to ensure national security. “I want a once-and-for all end to terrorism and am ready to vote for anyone who can ensure it,” says an AE Block lady, whose son’s best friend died in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Many batted for job creation, claiming their children and grandchildren were leaving the city or country in search of greener pastures. “The state of the economy is such that many companies are suddenly laying off hundreds of employees. The workers can’t be left in the lurch like this,” reasoned Syamali Dasgupta of FE Block.

Women’s safety was a salient issue and respondents said their daughters were now afraid to travel alone after dark. Dasgupta proposed more frequent police patrolling on roads and a centralised app that women in distress could resort to.

Some simply wanted democracy to prevail and to be able to participate in free and fair elections. “Judging from the past few elections in the state, even that has become a luxury,” said a BA Block resident, in his 70s.

To many, a green and clean environment and the abundance of toilets made a difference. “In this age of global warming we need a government that promotes greenery,” said Ashima Dutta Roy of FD Block. “They also must do something to stop elephants and other animals coming under trains in forest areas.”

Some residents would not compromise with religious harmony. “It is dangerous to divide our country on grounds of religion,” said a BC Block resident in his 70s.

“It is dangerous to divide our country on grounds of religion,” said a BC Block resident in his 70s. “It’s just as destructive as the ‘divide and rule’ strategy of the British,” added Mariam Wali, 83, of CL Block.

Another Muslim respondent from New Town cited how religion would not matter to him if the candidate worked for development. “This is how the Hindu MLA Ram Peary Ram would win time and again from the Muslim dominated areas of Kidderpore. He worked for voters across religions.”

Syeda Jahanara of Karunamoyee couldn’t care less if a party changed the names of cities as long as they delivered. “Those are non-issues. What they really should be doing is working to empower women, improve mass education and create jobs,” said the teacher.

Dutta Roy, whose son is a doctor, felt the higher education needs to be rid of the quota system. “I’ve seen how my son’s batch mates, who had scored quite poorly, gain admission in medical colleges just because of quotas. It’s unfair to other deserving students,” she said.

Healthcare is an issue too. “Government hospitals lack infrastructure and private ones fleece patients. Where should we go?” asked Dasgupta of FE Block, who also wanted care services for the elderly. “Several private companies have come up with emergency support for the elderly but what about those who cannot afford them? The government should come up with some sort of SOS phone number that summons an ambulance, police or the like.”

Unlike the youth, the elderly well were well-versant with the state of affairs. Some were familiar with party manifestoes and eager to try out the VVPAT machine, that will be introduced this time.

Majority of respondents said the local candidate was more important than the party or the national leader and that they wouldn’t vote for him/her if he/she was uneducated, corrupt or a criminal. “I know that’s a tall order so I’ll settle for the candidate that is comparatively less corrupt,” said the man from BC Block. “Or like last time, I might just vote for an independent candidate so he doesn’t lose his deposit to the election commission.”

A GC Block lady said she might use the NOTA (none of the above) option if she doesn’t gain faith in any candidate. “I would have stayed home but I’m afraid someone will cast a proxy vote in my name,” she said.

Age group: 60-plus

Number of people surveyed: 45

What issue would determine your vote?

Stand against terrorism 20%

Development, jobs 18%

Women’s safety and empowerment 11%

Peace, democracy, free and fair elections 11%

Religious harmony 9%

Corruption 6%

Education 6%

Cleanliness, pro-environment policies 5%

Inflation 5%

Others: 9%

Healthcare 3%

Care for senior citizens 3%

Poverty 3%

Who is most important to you — the party, the party’s national leader or the local candidate?

Party 16%

Party’s national leader 32%

Local candidate 52%

What level of issues appeals to you most?

National issues 53%

State issues 27%

Neighbourhood issues 20%