The issue of inflation and unemployment will play an important role in the upcoming elections

- The Conundrum of Economics - Dhawal Mehta

- No government in the world can satisfy all the demands of the citizens

There are two major economic threats facing the Modi government in next year's elections, one of which is inflation, and particularly an exorbitant rise in food, fuel and fertilizer prices. Another danger is the increase in the unemployment rate. In terms of politics, the current government's biggest threat is from 'India'. If there is no split in 'India' and all its parties fight together, Modi can put the government in trouble. A third fear haunts any political party in the world and that is the incumbency factor, any national party loses its luster in ten years.

People of the ruling party amass immense power and wealth, corruption makes bridges, dams, roads so weak that they collapse with a single rain, the government puts its men on autonomous bodies and takes over universities, colleges, government bodies, etc., harassing the opposition. People resent the way the government works and makes regulations that benefit certain businessmen. This applies to all the ruling political parties, be it Congress, BJP, Rashtriya Janata Dal or the once ruling Communist Party of Kerala. Every government in the world cannot satisfy the wishes of the people in its ten year period because the expectations of the citizens from the government are endless. As soon as the government fulfills one of their wishes (such as education or health or employment), citizens make demands that the government cannot satisfy.

People also get tired after enjoying power for two terms of five years. Jawaharlal Nehru's government also collapsed during the third term after the end of ten years and finally the party split into two: Congress(o) Congress I i.e. Indira Congress. In short, no government in the world can survive for more than 10 years or 15 years due to unsatisfied demands of the people or due to corruption. There may be some exceptions to this.

The high rate of inflation in India is hurting the current government. The Reserve Bank has maintained an inflation rate of four percent (plus and minus 2 percent). While America has kept the rate of inflation not to go above two percent. The unemployment rate in India has reached seven percent and its effect will be seen in the next elections. Remember that the bank rate of America was close to zero if not zero for years.

One good thing happening in Indian economy is that the rate of inflation is high but it is not going high but it is gradually decreasing. According to the last report, the Consumer Price Index in August was 6.8 percent which is lower than the previous month (July). Another good thing is that the decrease in the Consumer Price Index in August is due to the reduced prices of food grains and vegetables.

Tomato, which reached 100 or 200 rupees per kg in July/August, has now started fetching 20 or 30 rupees per kg. One worrying thing in this regard is the price of edible oil which is skyrocketing and the prices of petrol or diesel are not coming down because Russia is not willing to give us crude oil at discounted prices. India has inflation but it is not as rampant as it is in Pakistan.

At present, religion is used inexhaustibly to gain power at the center and spending on building new temples, celebrating Hindu festivals is considered a waste of money. This money should be used only for education and health. Nowadays education has become very expensive so parents are scared.