(This article first appeared in DailyO)
Rajesh Kumar works as an insurance agent in Pratapgarh
district of Uttar Pradesh, where I met him last week during a visit. He belongs
to the Dalit community and comes from a modest background. In the last five
years, his family has got a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and a
cylinder under the Ujjwala Yojana.
He said he is definitely voting for Modi in this election.
Sachendra Singh is a well-off advocate in the same region.
He says Modi’s decision to carry out surgical strikes has saved the honour of
the country. He thinks India is safe in Modi’s hands — and he too is voting for
Modi this time.
In this region of Uttar Pradesh, people swear by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi — many have been beneficiaries of his schemes and many
others admire his decisive leadership. His personality cult is strong and his
personal integrity is unquestioned.