As the state gears up for the 2018 Legislative Assembly elections on December 7, the city has been painted in pink, saffron and green, depending on which party is strong in which area. While the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has promised the youth an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,016 every month, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has proposed to distribute one lakh cows during festivals in villages.
On the other hand the Indian National Congress (INC), Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have joined hands in a mahakutami or a grand alliance.
It is however, the youth and their development that seems to be the recurring theme in most manifestos that have been released. So what exactly are the young, vibrant youth and first-time voters expecting out of this election and their future state government?
Anjana Meenkashi
Anjana Meenkashi, 22-year old M.A. student, stresses on the importance of elections in a democracy. “Elections give the ultimate power for people to decide on who will govern them. After the bifurcation of the two Telugu states everyone thought Telangana wound sink like the states which were divided earlier. But it was quite different here. Telangana has thrived in many aspects and has become one of the top states in India. Of course there are a few sectors that need to be focused on and improved like health, and providing employment for youth. Over all four and half years tenure of the Telangana government was good. Hope they continue further if given power in the coming elections.”
Supriya Reddy Karna
As a first time voter, 21-year-old Supriya Reddy Karna, is of the opinion that the future government needs to look into infrastructural facilities such as proper drainage systems especially during the monsoon when the entire city comes to a standstill with the very first downpour.
Priscilla Grace
Resonating with need to create awareness about public transport, 21-year old Priscilla Grace says, “As we all know how Hyderabad is becoming the hub in all sectors. It has been voted as the best city to live in India for the fourth time in a row. I would expect the same kind of development that is shown towards the IT sector of the city to happen in terms of public transportation and also creating more jobs opportunities for the youth of state.”
Karna Vandana Reddy
Another first time voter, 19-year-old Karna Vandana Reddy feels that the future government should be providing free of cost healthcare facilities, food and shelter to the lesser fortunate along with quality education at minimum cost to underprivileged students.
The city also has a diverse and colourful population. Hyderabad is one city that accommodates people from different spheres of lives with equal grace and love. Ashley Alexander John, a 20-year-old student sums it up by saying, “As a member of a minority community, I expect the government to focus on equality and the perseverance of secularism in light of everything that’s been happening lately, I wish for an empowering government which is able to provide better employment and equal opportunities to both genders.”
