large number of daily wage earners participated enthusiastically in the lok Sabha polls here on Thursday without having any fear of losing their wage for the day.
The workers came out of their homes in the villages and slums and cast their votes in the nearby voting centres before leaving for Chavdi in Raipur, a market place where they gathered in the morning hour from where contractors hire them and assign jobs.
Some labourers could not exercise their franchise as they did not have voter ID card. A group of labourers assembled at the Chavdi in Gandhi Chowk said that the status of labourers was unlikely to change regardless of whichever party comes to power, but that didn’t mean they should skip their votes.
Rama, a resident of Rasagar said for them the Government did not exist but it is the voting right which make them feel that they are alive.
lalit, a daily wage earner who came after exercising his franchise at Dumartarai said they voted with a hope that a good government would be established which will protect the interest of the workers and reduce their plights.
Otherwise we would continue to live a pathetic life, he said. Narrating the plight of the daily wage earners, he said they are spending two rupees daily to keep their cycle in the cycle stand whether they get the work for the day or not.
Raghunath, a labourer from Kota said initially he did not get the voter slip but after a search he was fortunate enough to find it. Punitram of Shiv Nagar said he does not feel good when he gets rice at one rupee per kilogram. We are not beggars, he said.
K Deb of Ramnagar complained that his name was missing from the voter list although he found the name of his wife. Chaitaram Sahu of Khadba, Gajanand of Bhaikh Nagar and laxman of Gokul Nagar also made similar allegations.
They said their names did not figure in the voter list as they often stay away from home for works. They do not have voter ID cards nor do have ration cards.
Junia Nishad of Mathpuraina village said he visited the government office several times to make the voter ID card but find no success.
Mohini, Thagia Nishad Sakun said they got up early and finished their routine work so that they cast their votes. They exercised their franchise but missed the daily wage work for the day, they said.