cross-posted from: https://lemy.lol/post/25678930

There are three classes in India.

The Rich- They commit frauds, scam, borrow money from public banks never to return and flee the country when they gamble and lose.

The poor- These people are helplessly dependent on freebies from the government for survival. Most of these are found in villages where a feudal system prevails.

The government claims to lift 400 million people from extreme poverty since 2014. However they are giving free rations to 810 million people today. Such people who couldn't afford to buy food will obviously be considered extremely poor.

And that 60% of Indian population. These are also the poor who are responsible for 90% of the voter turnout.

To form the government you need to get funding from the rich for campaigns and in return give them cheap loans, lower corporate taxes and sell government assets and natural resources for pennies on the dollar.

The third is the forgotten middle class who pay for everything and get none of the benefits.

Because they are not a majority. Even if they were they wouldn't go to vote for whatever reasons. Political parties know that the middle class is happy being milked for nothing in return and won't influence vote share.

To shift focus on the middle class we need significant urbanization so they become a majority and electoral education. Taxpayers have every right to right to ask what they will get in return. Free good quality healthcare and education is a bare minimum.