Hope, Freebies, and Electoral Conscience: Reflections on Delhi Assembly Election 2025

Moderator: Dr. Pankaj Kumar Bharti[1]
Enumerator:  Ms. Arisha Nasim[2]

Since India is the world's largest democracy, election is a festivity in India. Elections are one of the most intensely discussed topics in India, and the debate intensifies as the election approaches. It is considered the world's largest electoral exercise. Despite differences in language, culture, tradition, belief systems, and moral behavior, people do, from diverse social backgrounds, come together to elect their representatives based on development, caste, religion, sect, and the social hopes that they look unto.

Among various electoral enquiries, election reports are perhaps the most important enquiry as they provide a clear theoretical foundation and political understanding of public opinion against the backdrop of an election. They have emerged as beacons of hope in the uncertain and chaotic environment that characterizes elections in India. To some, it is a moment of happiness, to other, it is a reiteration of the same story, being told without there being any substance in it. They help us analyze public sentiment, it reads into the mood of the public, the causes of incumbency, and its opposing factors. They fall within the realm of political communication and sometimes political dialectics.

Election reports also offer a journalistic perspective, the mediazation of election, the influence media causes on it. They also open up the horizon of narrative-building, to which media, undoubtedly, is an important stake. In today’s fractured media environment, as observed in the Reuters 2017 Digital News Report, a significant shift has been seen where people are increasingly moving away from broadcast and print news, rather to a great extent oriented towards online platforms for the first-hand experience of the ground reality. The conversation in the form of dialectics, helps us get at the heart of the problem. Consequently, the report, thereafter, create a substantial trust within the voters as well as foster relationships between respondents and correspondents. Election reports lay the groundwork for post-truth inquiries and it also contributes in the making of truth at the end of it.

Truth in the Post-Truth Era  

In the post-truth era, the pursuit of truth remains more relevant and potent than ever. Factual and genuine expressions ultimately fall unto truth, that is unwavering in any circumstance. The categorical analysis of the respondent opens up different window to look into the matter, so much so, that the expectations and delivery in the election manifesto does not tally any closer. Election is all about conceiving an opinion and therefore making a judgement on the basis of it. These heresies are completely a matter of their perception. They are mostly constructed by the broadcast media. Initially they emerge as heresy, which later becomes the basis of making judgement and consumable narrative.  

Before the Delhi 2025 elections, research conducted by the SHD Research Foundation highlighted stark differences between ground realities and media portrayals. They have made it clear that the ground speaks so differently than the broadcast media. During their field visit to Janakpuri Market, the research team uncovered hidden truths. Mr. X, a small tea seller, expressed his strong support for the AAP government, primarily because he benefited directly from their schemes. Though he was unaware of many government policies, he recognized few  initiatives such as Mohalla clinics, free bus travel, electricity subsidies, water bill reductions, and improvements in school education. When asked about his expectations from the upcoming elections, he seemed uncertain, as he did not even know what to ask from the government. His ignorance, at times, reflected hopelessness regarding basic life necessities.

The correspondent highlighted air pollution and road conditions, prompting Mr. X to acknowledge the education system as the most beneficial aspect of AAP's governance. Having received tangible benefits, he believed the party would continue to deliver, and he was largely satisfied with their governance. The research team concluded that, for voters like Ashok, past performance in delivering promises mattered more than mere hope for change.

When asked about his voter serial number, Mr. X had no knowledge of it. The voting process was managed by the ‘Pradhan’ of his locality, ensuring that people exercised their voting rights. His ignorance was further evident in his lack of recognition of Atishi Marlena, associating the AAP leadership solely with Arvind Kejriwal, even though he was no longer the Chief Minister.

Un(deepening) of Political Awareness  

Ms. Y, a domestic worker, strongly admired the AAP government's freebies and subsidies, which had significantly benefited her. She expressed high satisfaction with AAP’s governance and was determined to vote for them again instead of BJP or Congress. Her decision was heavily influenced by schemes such as free bus travel, which made her daily commute easier. However, her political awareness was limited—she incorrectly attributed BJP’s ‘PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ initiative to AAP, reflecting sheer ignorance. 

When discussing key election issues, she emphasized women’s empowerment, employment, and safety. She believed economic security provided women with confidence and protection. She also recalled previous government efforts to equip women with skills and employment opportunities. An interesting perspective emerged when she was asked about liquor shops in her neighborhood. Instead of complaining, she stated, “If you don’t drink, you won’t have a problem with a liquor store near your house. So just stop drinking.”

Freebies over Employment 

Mr. Z, a psychology graduate working as a security guard, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of employment opportunities, making him a strong critic of the BJP government. He shared his financial struggles, explaining how his ₹10,000 monthly income was inadequate for a family of four in Delhi. He acknowledged that schemes such as lower electricity and water bills, Mohalla clinics, and free quality education played a crucial role in securing basic necessities. He strongly believed that essentials like food, education, and healthcare should remain free from GST, arguing that industrialists should bear the tax burden instead. He also highlighted how having a different government in the state than in the center helps create a system of checks and balances, preventing misuse of power.

Determination and Reluctance 

The research team interviewed Mr. Z1, a chemist shop owner at local market area of Janakpuri. Initially reluctant to discuss politics, he later revealed his support for BJP, citing that government freebies had little impact on his life. His opposition to AAP stemmed from Mohalla clinics providing free medicines, reducing his pharmacy's business. His stance highlighted how personal benefits often influenced political preferences more than broader social upliftment.

 Learnings 

The field study revealed that low-wage earners were more cooperative in discussing politics, as government policies directly impacted their daily lives. However, they were largely unaware of their right to vote confidentially. On the other hand, educated individuals were more cautious, ensuring they verified whom they were speaking to before revealing their political inclinations. The study also found that while low-income voters overwhelmingly supported government freebies, middle- and upper-income business owners viewed them as political handouts or bribery. Interestingly, despite Delhi's pollution crisis, none of the respondents considered it a key election issue; instead, road conditions were prioritized.

Regarding leadership, AAP supporters unanimously favored Arvind Kejriwal, whereas BJP supporters struggled to identify a clear Chief Ministerial candidate, mentioning names such as Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath instead. Manoj Tiwari, once a contender, was virtually absent from voters’ considerations. This contrast demonstrated AAP’s confidence in their leadership while BJP continued to deliberate on its potential candidate.

Finally, our observation suggest that the political awareness of the voters is still conditioned with their personal benefits rather larger public welfare. Different income and occupation group seems identifying their association with the parties who promises them the most. The larger public issues such as pollution, social security and employment do appear in the talks of the respondents but still awaited to impact the momentum of electoral mandate of Delhi’s election 2025.