Parties ignore youngsters in Punjab

Manifestos of all political parties in Punjab have made extra efforts to lure the youth of Punjab ahead of the polls. Ironically, the representation the youth has got in the list of candidates produced by all political parties is dismal. Of the total candidates in the poll fray, only 16% are young people in the age group of 25-35 years.

It is clear that whichever party wins the elections, most of the treasury benches are likely to be graced by the elderly.

Close to 40% of all SAD candidates are in the age group of 61 to 90 years. Parkash Singh Badal is 89 and is hoping to be the chief minister of Punjab for the sixth time. The Congress has fielded 33 candidates in this age group.

The lack of allotment of tickets to the youth is discouraging. The AAP has given the youth of the state the most representation with 17 tickets to those in the age group of 25-35 years, which is still bad given that Punjab has 117 Assembly seats in total.

Other parties fare even worse, with the Congress giving 6 tickets and SAD a dismal 2 tickets to the youth in this age group. Both parties have made tall claims to empower the youth.

Promises made to the youth in the manifestos include a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 to all unemployed youth, assurance of jobs overseas and incentives for quitting drugs.
DH News Service