First- time voters, particularly the college students, are excited, looking forward to the poll day to exercise their franchise.
They stress that they want the lawmakers the people would elect to take initiatives to improve the level of education in the schools and the colleges aside from introducing professional and vocational courses to enhance the scope for employment.
Besides, they want a push to be given to industrialisation to take on the unemployment problem in the state. When asked which of the parties in the election they would vote for, they sound divided between two leaders, poster boys of the two parties-Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the State Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
However, a majority of them say unequivocally that they would choose nominees blessed by Modi.
It seems that Modi perceived to embody development is still the heart throb of the college- going youths of Dehradun this correspondent interacted with.
What is interesting is that they would vote for the leaders and not the parties they are leading.
Ramesh, a law student in DAV (PG) College, said that he was eagerly waiting for the day the poll would be held in the state.
“It would be an experience as I would vote for the first time,” he said, beaming. When asked about the party he has set his heart on, he said he would vote for Modi. “I do not know the party he is leading. Modi epitomises the youth’s aspirations. That is all,” he said.
Sushma Bisht, another student of the college pursuing a bachelor degree, however, said she would vote for the Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
“He has done a lot for the people. Indira Amma Canteen coming up, hospitals and bus stations to provide subsidised food to the people is one of such initiatives which endear him to the common people. I would vote for those whom the CM is blessing,” she said.
Sunil Rawat, 20, resident of Vani Vihar, said Modi standing head and shoulders above the rest of the run of the mill politicians in terms of honesty and dedication to the cause of the nation, he would cast his votes for those who Modi has chosen. “The contest boiling down to a duel between the PM and the CM has made it easier for us to choose. The BJP and Congress do not matter for us. What matters is the leaders,” he added.
Amrita Semwal, student of MKP (PG) College, said that she was yet to decide who to vote for. “I would definitely vote. But before deciding, I would first go through the manifestos of the parties. My vote would depend on the commitments made in the manifestos,” she said.