A Voice from Darbhanga: Ramanand Thakur’s Expectations from the New Government

Darbhanga, May 8, 2024 - As the polling date of May 13 approaches for the Darbhanga constituency, we bring you the voice of Ramanand Thakur, a 52-year-old staff member of Khadi Gramodyog, residing in Laheriasarai, Darbhanga.

Thakur, a matriculate, lives with his mother, wife, and four children. He has been a part of the Khadi Gramodyog staff since 2014. A responsible citizen, Thakur has exercised his right to vote in both the 2014 and 2019 elections.

When asked about Prime Minister Modi’s promise of ‘Acche Din’, Thakur expressed his disappointment. “Not at all,” he said, citing rising inflation and unemployment as major concerns. “There is no money in hand, while corruption and pollution have shot up,” he added.

Thakur also pointed out the failure of the government in fulfilling its promise of providing pucca houses to all the poor people under the Indira Awas Yojana (now known as PM-Awas Yojana). He claimed that the benefits have not reached the real poor but have been availed by well-off people in the rural areas.

Reflecting on the changes since 2014, Thakur said, “Trouble and tension have increased for the common man for everything. Notebandi (demonetisation), GST, high fuel and cooking prices are some of the examples.”

The issue of unemployment is what Thakur would like to see addressed immediately. “The youth are roaming aimlessly here and there without jobs, and are resorting to crimes,” he said.

Thakur’s expectations from the new government are clear. He wants the government to work for the masses instead of just the rich, and bring down inflation and corruption. He also hopes that the new government will not pursue policies that would further increase inflation, pushing low-income groups into poverty.

As Darbhanga gears up to cast its vote, the voices of citizens like Ramanand Thakur echo the expectations and aspirations of many. It remains to be seen how the new government will respond to these concerns.