New Delhi: Youngsters' choice may turn out to be crucial for political parties in the upcoming Delhi assembly polls as the number of first time voters has more than doubled from 98,000 during the municipal election in 2012 to over 3.5 lakh this year.
In other words, the percentage of youth voters has increased from 0.7 percent to 3 per cent of the total voters in Delhi.
However, it is not going to be easy for the political parties to woo the youngsters as they feel the parties have not been sincere in keeping their promises and addressing key issues.
Their issues are also not different from that of an average middle class person. Corruption, inflation, unemployment, social and financial security are some of the concerns which a number of students from leading universities say pervade their mind.
"Youths are quite politically aware and do not like to keep silent on issues which concern them. Everyone saw that during Anna Hazare's fast and protest after the December 16 gang-rape," said Vismay Basu, a PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Basu's angst is not a lone voice but a reflection of the disappointment with politicians and the existing system felt by the youth.
For them, inflation does not come only in the form of rising onion prices. It is reflected in rising house rents, higher cost of education and rise in public transport fares as well.
