Demonetisation will be one of the major issues for the Tharu tribe this State Assembly Elections.
Even as the district of lakhimpur Kheri goes for polls on February 15, the approximately 50,000 Tharu voters from 46 villages are all set to vote for people who have worked for development.
In conversation with The Pioneer, residents of these Tharu villages said demonetisation had impacted them badly and will be one of the main issues which they will consider when they vote.
They admitted that the Tharu community is a much aware community which will not be swayed by those who have not worked for the development of their villages.
The other issues that these voters will focus on will be forest rights, atrocities and the basic amenities of water, electricity and roads.
Deputy General Secretary All India Union of Forest Working People Roma told The Pioneer the number of Tharu voters is a significant one which can make a difference in the elections. “It is a good number of votes that cannot be ignored.”
Roma said the women in particular among the Tharus were the most aware and waiting to negotiate with local candidates in terms of development.
“They are categorical that they will vote for the candidate who works for their benefits and it is over the years that they have grown to understand their rights. Their slogan is
‘Ek Haat lo Ek Haat Do’. Demonetisation is a major issue which will impact the State Assembly Elections this time as far as the Tharus are concerned because it has affected the tribes very badly. All their crops were destroyed and they did not have the money to buy seeds when it happened. Forest rights as well a demand for the electricity, water and roads also exist,” she said.
Shankar also from the Soorma village who is the gram pradhan of their village said demonetisation was certainly an issue.
“It created immense difficulties as we had very little cash. Even though we had money in the bank we could withdraw only limited amounts,” he added.
He said there was no degree college in their area. “This creates a lot of problem as children after completing their High School have to go either to lakhimpur Kheri or lucknow for further studies. Electricity and roads for our villages has also been a problem in the villages too,” he added
Harishchandra from the Soorma village said the Tharus can no longer be befooled. “Today the Tharus are very aware and will not listen to person who comes outside and asks for vote but will only pay heed to those who have worked with them at the local level and visited their villages” he added.
Among the issues which they were facing he said were that the villages that were within the forest areas lacked proper roads. “Also the water that we get after boring is not clean and is yellowish in colour. The wild animals are also a problem and demonetisation has impacted us wherein every day women formed long queues,” he said. On being asked if all the Tharu votes will go in one direction, he said there will be a division as voters likely to go in different parties.
leelawati from the Sohna village, yet another Tharu said development will be the focus as well as education. “It is important to have a degree college here. There have been some schemes of the Government that have helped us and we will also consider this when we cast our vote” she added.