Deprived of basic amenities and annoyed by false promises of development, around 518 voters of two villages under Budhni and Ashta State Assembly constituencies boycotted the lok Sabha elections on Thursday. However, in the evening the officials persuaded them to vote.
Voters of Jhagar village under Budhni Assembly segment and Kotia Nala village under Ashta Assembly constituency expressed their displeasure by boycotting the election process. They were adamant that they would not vote as their areas have been neglected for long and lack development.
The boycott perplexed the officials concerned and leaders. A total of 518 voters remained firm on not casting their vote and gathered at a place till 5 pm and agreed only after the intervention of officials from the administration.
With a population of around 500 there are 163 voters in Jhagar village which lies under Budni constituency. The Jhgar village dominated by Keer caste, which is 7 km from Nasrullahganj, lacks a bridge, road and school. They have been demanding for long to construct road and bridge but the authorities and the political leaders did not pay any heed towards it. This time, they decided to refrain from the polling booths boycotting the election.
Villagers said that Nasrullahganj is around 7 km from the village but due to lack of bridge on Kolar river, they have to travel around 25 km to reach Nasrullahganj. Interestingly, a local boatman has made a temporary wooden bridge on the river and demands Rs 1000 annually to use the bridge. The school going children are not able to attend their school for around 4 months due to muddy roads, said the locals.
Voters of Kotla Nala village under Ashta Assembly constituency restrained from voting and complained regarding the lack of basic amenities road, water and electricity which the administration and elected leaders have failed to provide. Sehore Collector of Kavindra Kiyawat said that the voters agreed to vote after getting assurance that their problems would be resolved after the Model Code of Conduct ends.