Letters | Modi’s BJP has done better than its critics give it credit for

Readers discuss the interpretation of the results of the Indian elections, and whether cultural exchange can help improve fraught US-China relations

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India’s Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi bows to the gathering before taking the oath of office for a third term as the country’s prime minister at the ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi on June 9. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:30pm, 12 Jun 2024

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I refer to the articles, “Modi’s big election misstep? Overestimating India’s Hindu zeal” (June 9) and “Congress gains possible ‘stepping stone’ to revival” (June 9).

Among the many criticisms levelled against the Modi government’s performance are those related to reining in unemployment, inequality and rural distress. Your own coverage spoke of a critical lack of jobs.

India’s unemployment rate last year fell to 3.1 per cent, according to the government. While there are conflicting figures coming from international organisations and different economic think tanks, noted economist Surjit Bhalla has said that no government in India has created as many jobs as Modi’s government has done.

Also, anyone visiting India would be amazed at the level of prosperity, as shown in the construction of highways and roads that connect to remote villages and the building of houses and estates. This construction sector currently employs 71 million people.

It is no wonder that in the recent election, Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party performed tremendously well in urban areas, where its vote share increased from just 33.6 per cent in 2019 to 40.1 per cent.

Yes, its share of rural votes fell from 39.5 per cent to 35 per cent. However, this is just a little lower than its national vote share of 36.6 per cent. Further, in its stronghold state of Madhya Pradesh, which is 72 per cent rural, the BJP increased both vote share and seat tally. Similarly, in Odisha where it defeated a popular regional party for the first time, it drew more votes from rural areas than urban. So, the rural-urban divide is not uniform.