The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : First-timers have great expectations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 24, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

First-timers have great expectations

Meera Srinivasan

Youngsters on choosing their candidate and issues that need to be addressed

CHENNAI: For some, it was part of their school curriculum; some read about it in the papers and a few others heard elders discuss their views.

In about a fortnight, these youngsters will be casting their vote for the first time. The `first-time voters' spoke on choosing their candidate and issues that need to be addressed.

Transparency

According to 18-year-old Vaishnavi Ravichander, a law student, one of the most important features of good government is transparency. She feels that the Government should come up with innovative methods of developments to tackle issues such as bad roads and sanitation. "Cleanliness is also vital," she says.

"Governments should look at the reservation policy with an economic perspective, which is more relevant to our country," says Vaishnavi, who will be voting at Thousand Lights.

Empty promises

Visual Communication student Sonakshi Maheshwari of the T. Nagar constituency says that choosing her candidate would be tough. She is tired of the existing parties and "empty promises" and wary of new and young parties as they are "inexperienced."

"I am not sure of the existing parties. The Lok Paritran looks promising but their manifesto is not out yet. I want my leaders to have at least a basic degree," says R. Krishna Kumar, a B.Tech student, who will vote at Thousand Lights. He feels that standardisation of transport (autorickshaws, in particular) and better power supply without fluctuation need to be addressed. He also feels reservation has to be based on economic criteria.

Solving unemployment

Murali Krishnan, who will be voting in Mylapore, feels that unemployment is the issue that requires immediate notice. "There are so many of us who are yet to find jobs despite being educated. The unemployed youth have great potential and so few opportunities," he says.

B. Anitha, who lives in Srinivasapuram, says she will not be influenced by any sort of pressure and her decision will be informed.

"We were hit by the tsunami so badly. I have been observing how parties reacted to everything. My choice will be based on these observations," she says.

Her friend V. Kanchana has almost made her decision. "I will vote for a candidate who gives me a sense of assurance. I must have confidence in their abilities," she asserts.

Karpagam, however, has not made up her mind yet. "Whoever it is, they should be able to relate to our problems and provide solutions. They must pay regular visits to their constituency," she said.

The indifferent lot

There are a few who do not want to vote at all. Ganapathy, Kadir and Prakash, for instance, have "given up."

"We have lost faith in democracy," they say.

"It doesn't matter to us if X or Y comes to power. They are all the same," says Prakash, a budding cinematographer.

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