Beijing, China - April 18, 2019 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Graphic showing major issues in India's election

Mysore City, Karnataka State, India - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Various of Devaraju, farmer, pulling up tobacco seedlings
3. Various of Devaraju planting tobacco seedlings
4. SOUNDBITE (Kannada) Devaraju, farmer:
"In the previous elections, they made a number of promises, but after they won, they did not fulfill any of those promises. They were false promises. Now also we don't have rain. We are in great trouble. So we want to change the government."
5. Various of Devaraju's son Purushotam joining family in planting tobacco
6. SOUNDBITE (Kannada) Purushotam, unemployed youth:
"I feel bad. I feel depressed but I have no choice. It's humiliating to listen to people who say that despite getting an education he is taking care of cattle. We have no choice. So I am working with my father."
7. Young people chatting
8. Youngster walking on road
9. Various of local residents walking, sitting

Indian political leaders have raised many issues in major rallies across the country, including the employment rate, farmers' distress and national security, as the country is voting to elect its next government.

Devaraju is a farmer in Southern Karnataka.

He fends for his family by growing tobacco on a small piece of land. In this region, agriculture depends on rains so he grows rain-fed crops.
From arrival of the monsoon to repayment of a bank loan, his worries are unending. As an interim relief to the farmers, the Indian government announced a scheme to pay less than a hundred dollars to each of the farmers in relief, but Devaraju is still waiting for the money.

"In the previous elections, they made a number of promises, but after they won, they did not fulfill any of those promises. They were false promises. Now also we don't have rain. We are in great trouble. So we want to change the government," said Devaraju.

Another cause of concern for him is his jobless son Purushotam, who has completed his academic studies leading to a bachelor's degree in commerce, but is unemployed.

Purushotam tried to start a business, but the bank did not give him a loan as they're a small land holder. Now he has no choice, but to work in the fields with his father.

"I feel bad. I feel depressed but I have no choice. It's humiliating to listen to people who say that despite getting an education he is taking care of cattle. We have no choice. So I am working with my father," said Purushotam.

A leaked government report places the unemployment rate at a four-decade high. But in this election season, issues like jobs have taken a back seat. The national security has become the defining issue.

Experts said that this narrative might go in favor of the ruling party, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being projected as a strong and decisive leader after the Pulwama aerial strike on Pakistan in February.

The opposition said that Modi is misleading the nation by projecting himself as a gatekeeper against the enemy.

The elections began in India on April 11th, and will take place over seven phases, across 29 states and seven union territories of the country. Results will be announced on May 23.

Currently, the second phase of the six-week general elections went to poll in 97 constituencies in 13 states. In the elections for the lower house, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid is to retain power while the opposition is united in its aim to defeat Modi.