DEMOCRACY, ECONOMY AND SHIFTING MINDSET OF VOTERS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF FREEBIES

DEMOCRACY, ECONOMY AND SHIFTING MINDSET OF VOTERS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF FREEBIES

13-JUNE-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------Indian democracy stands at a crossroads today where electoral discourse has shifted away from roads, hospitals, education, industry, and employment to revolve around promises like free electricity, free water, cash assistance, free bus travel, free gas cylinders, laptops, scooters, and monthly allowances for women. Senior journalist Chandan Chaurasia has articulated this precisely, noting that modern politics has come to resemble a culture of "freebies"—or what is colloquially termed "revdi culture" (a culture of handouts). Interestingly, parties that once condemned this practice as an economic offense and a form of vote-buying have now adopted it as a potent electoral strategy. Whether in the opposition or the ruling dispensation, almost all major political parties are engaging in the politics of freebies in one form or another.

"Freebies" refer to goods, services, or cash assistance provided by the government or political parties to the public without any direct cost; the objective behind this can range from social welfare to electoral gain.

Examples include free electricity, free water, cash assistance for women, free bus travel, farm loan waivers, free laptops and smartphones, free rations, and free gas cylinders.

However, not every free scheme qualifies as a "freebie." Many economists view facilities provided under constitutional obligations—such as education, healthcare, and nutrition—as investments in public welfare, whereas they label electoral promises made without a sound financial basis as "freebies."

Subsidies and free schemes have existed in India for decades. Schemes offering subsidized food grains began in South India during the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, the "rice at ₹2 per kg" scheme gained popularity in Andhra Pradesh. Later, schemes distributing items like televisions, mixer-grinders, and laptops in Tamil Nadu established a new model of electoral politics. Subsequently, parties across various states adopted this model; therefore, attributing the origin of this practice to any single party would be factually incorrect. For several years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the "revdi culture" (culture of freebies), arguing that it burdened the economy and reduced productive investment. However, electoral politics evolved over time. When freebie schemes garnered widespread public support across various states, the BJP also launched similar initiatives tailored to local needs in several states.

For instance, schemes such as financial assistance for women, cash support for farmers, free rations, scholarships, LPG subsidies, and electricity bill relief were incorporated into election manifestos. In other words, the very model once criticized has now become a strategy adopted by almost all political parties.

However, it would be incorrect to attribute everything to this alone.

There are multiple factors behind the BJP's electoral successes:

A strong organization, the popularity of its leadership, the issue of nationalism, the delivery of welfare schemes, booth management, digital campaigning, and the weakness of the opposition.

Freebies may be one element among these, but not the sole reason. Similarly, the victories of other parties were not achieved solely through freebie schemes.

When the government promises free electricity, monthly cash assistance for women, and free rations, it has a direct impact on a family's monthly budget.

Consequently, the poor and the lower-middle class view these schemes as a source of relief.

This is where the line between politics and welfare schemes begins to blur.

Development: Generates employment, boosts industry and investment, yields long-term benefits, increases tax revenue, and fosters self-reliance.

Freebies: Provide immediate relief, boost consumption, offer short-term benefits, increase government expenditure, and can lead to increased dependency.

If freebie schemes are implemented without adequate revenue and financial planning, the government may be forced to resort to additional borrowing. In India, both central and state governments borrow from the market annually to bridge their budget deficits. However, it would be inaccurate to claim that the entire debt burden is solely due to freebies. There are other reasons for debt as well—infrastructure development, defense spending, healthcare, education, natural disasters, and interest payments.

Nevertheless, economists have consistently warned that excessive election-time freebies can weaken the financial health of states.

When new promises of freebies are made during every election, voters begin to expect that the next government will offer even greater benefits.

The consequences could be that the issue of employment takes a backseat, discussions on industry and investment diminish, pressure for reforms in education and healthcare eases, and politics shifts from competitive development to competitive distribution of freebies.

A significant portion of the government budget is still spent on roads, railways, defense, healthcare, education, irrigation, social security, and rural development. However, during election years, the share allocated to welfare schemes and cash assistance programs increases. This is why many experts demand that the financial source for every election promise be made public.

If elections devolve into a mere competition of promises for freebies, the fundamental purpose of democracy could be compromised. Voters should also ask questions such as: How many jobs were created? What is the quality of education? How many hospitals were built? How many industries were set up? How have opportunities for the youth expanded? If these questions disappear and free benefits take center stage, the quality of democracy could suffer.

The ruling party should maintain fiscal discipline and avoid making impractical promises solely to win elections. Welfare schemes should be linked to productive investments.

The opposition, too, should not engage in a race to outdo the ruling party with promises of freebies; instead, it should present an alternative model focused on employment, education, and economic reform. .present [their plans] and inform the public about financial accountability.

An informed voter should not merely ask what freebies they will receive; instead, they should ask: Where will the funds come from? What impact will this have on the future? Will this generate employment for my children? Will this strengthen the state economically?

Freebies are neither inherently right nor entirely wrong. They hold value if they serve as a means of social security for the poor. However, if they become merely a strategy to win elections—overshadowing development, employment, and productive investment—they become a cause for concern for both democracy and the economy.

Today, there is a need for the public to look beyond "What freebies will I get?" and instead ask, "How will the country and the state progress?"

An informed voter is the greatest strength of a democracy. If votes are cast based on development, education, healthcare, employment, and good governance, political parties will be compelled to shift their priorities. Freebies may offer temporary relief, but lasting prosperity stems only from development, investment, education, and employment. This is the true path to India's economic strength and democratic maturity.