The Mayoral election on Monday turned out to be a day to relax for majority of the Ranchiites who preferred utilizing the ‘official holiday’ for other works instead of casting their votes. Some felt voting a waste of time, whereas others mocking at the democratic system called the mayoral candidates “good for nothing”.
While polling booths wore a deserted look throughout the day, resulting in around 19 per cent voting in the election, recreational places, restaurants, parks and other hangouts were flooded with people, especially youths.
Abhishek Anand, a final year B.Com.(Hons) student of Marwari College said, “Whoever we vote for will do nothing to improve the drainage system and roads of our colony. Did the election of Deputy Mayor change the pathetic urban scenarioIJ”
Supporting him Shrabani Dutta, who had encouraged her aged parents to vote in the last mayoral election in 2008 and then in the lok Sabha election in April, said, “Noticing the potential of Narendra Modi my parents had voted for BJP in lok Sabha polls. As you can see, there has been no price reduction in grocery and vegetables. Rather, the train fare will be increased by 14. 2 per cent from June 25 onwards.”
Sadly, some of the voters had an excuse that may land them in legal problems for caste based remarks.
The post of Mayor being a reserved one in Ranchi, all 14 candidates hailed from a particular category.
“Apart from party support there is no candidate in the list possessing the leadership qualities of maintaining the civic system of the city. Moreover, none of the deserving candidates are from our preferred category so, our entire family did not vote this time,” Anjani Kumar (Name changed), an employee of a Milk Cooperative firm said.
like Kumar, a retired couple of Accountant General Office, who did not vote said that they were strong supporters of a national party. “Unfortunately, Rama Khalkho is an undeserving candidate backed by the national party. Others too are same. It is easy to woo candidates for voting during campaigns but difficult to work for their problems.”
The low turn out of voters at most of the booths compelled party supporters to bring voters from their homes. “We hired an auto and tried to insist some of our friends for voting so that they can make our candidate win by large number of votes. Our plan failed since these loyal friends denied to accompany us,” a youth near Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dhurwa said.
Another party worker near Kairali School said, “Whoever we tried to convince for vote told us that the pre-poll campaigns were not satisfactory. Residents of Ranchi have become smart.”
Chhotu, a mechanic near Birsa Chowk Petrol Pump who was supposed to cast his first vote this time said, “Working for daily bread is a priority. Being a citizen of Ranchi, lok Sabha election has no where benefitted our job. The same would happen if I or my colleagues vote for Mayor. Drains will remain dirty and the irregular water supply in our locality will never improve.”