Here's why few villages are planning to boycott elections
What's the story
In exactly ten days from now, the first phase of elections will commence. With parties going all out for campaigning and Election Commission asking people to cast votes in large numbers, several villages have decided to boycott polls. Residents of these villages have different complaints with the administration and they concluded that not voting is a way to protest. Let's understand what happened.
Muscleman problems
Upset with inaction against muscleman, villagers decided to boycott polls
People of Kesurua Kala village, which comes under Bahadurpur block in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, said they won't cast votes as they are upset with administration's laxity. The administration has failed to rein in a local muscleman who wants to occupy the gram sabha land, illegally. Though an FIR has been lodged, no action was taken. Notably, All India Panchayat Parishad lent support to villagers.
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Reportedly, muscleman wants to occupy land meant for road
"Local muscleman Ram Vishal Singh wants to illegally occupy the gram sabha's land. A portion of the land is already under his illegal possession. The land in question is a road that locals use," said Satyendra Tripathi, general secretary of the Panchayat body.
Water problems
Solve water crisis or forget votes
Separately, in Maharashtra, residents of Tadihipparga in Madnur mandal have decided to boycott polls as their village doesn't have a supply of safe drinking water. The village head requested elected leaders to sanction Rs. 25 lakh to solve the problem, but to no avail. The village has nearly 100 wells but the water is undrinkable. Reportedly, villagers travel about 2 km to fetch water.
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Villagers have been suffering for decades
"We don't want to vote for any political party unless and until the chronic water problem in our village is completely solved. We have been facing this for the last four decades," said a resident.
Bridge's demand
For years now, these villagers have been demanding a bridge
Similarly, voters of Yogender Nagar in Muzaffarnagar's Bhopa region said they won't participate in elections until their demand for a bridge isn't met. The village comes under Bijnor constituency and locals want a bridge over River Sonali. In the absence of connectivity, villagers have to travel more than 5 km to reach their farmlands. The lack of jobs is another reason behind this boycott.
Playground
No playground, no votes, said residents of one Chembur village
Meanwhile, residents of Vadavali in Chembur of Maharashtra have said they will not vote unless they get a playground. A resident Naveen Achacrya said the playground which existed is used for anti-social activities. "For almost eight years, the playground is out of bounds. Since then, we have been writing to the public representatives but there has been no positive news," Naveen said.