‘Modi promised us money in our accounts. What did we get? Rs 15 lakh in debt’

The Bharatiya Janata Party and Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 on the promise of bringing “achhe din” – prosperous days – for Indians. But the last decade has brought formidable challenges for vast sections of Indians, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. What is on the mind of voters who are struggling with joblessness and income insecurity? Will they still vote for Narendra Modi? Or is their enchantment with the party fading? Scroll reporters find out in a new series, No achhe din, but…

Of the many things Saurabh Pratap Singh inherited from his father, two were farming and an unwavering support for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“My grandfather told my father that BJP is our party and Atal Bihari Vajpayee is our leader,” said Singh, a Thakur. “My father told me that BJP is our party and Rajnath Singh is our leader.”

But as 10 parliamentary constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh – including Firozabad, Agra, Bareilly and Mainpuri – head to polls on May 7, Singh’s inheritances are set to collide.

Singh, 32, has been growing capsicum and chillies in rural Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh for more than a decade.

In the decade under the Narendra Modi government, Singh’s income has fallen and his debt has risen.

He told...

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