Election season. As usual this election too being termed 'make-or-break', 'the ultimate', blah, blah.... But in my view its just another issue-less one like many in the recent past. All the stakeholders, political class, media and even the electorate, no one is talking about any livelihood issues such as healthcare, education, access to safe drinking water, sanitation, public transport, environmental degradation, exploitation of natural resources, etc.
Let's look into two basic needs - education & healthcare. Successive governments have ensured enhanced enrollment of children in schools through various schemes. But quality? Such children are in a weak situation throughout their career. Its the same with healthcare. In-spite of various programs quality healthcare is out of reach for the majority. This is leading to massive privatization of these two sectors. While the rich are able to access the same the under privileged are a disadvantaged lot who are compelled to either use the cheaper but insufficient system or pay exorbitant price.
No major political party or politician has addressed these concerns as they know well the electorate is more concerned about religious, caste or linguistic identities than the real livelihood issues.
I'm not sure a change in government is going to make any visible impact. Afraid I may press NOTA, though its not the right solution.
