Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

That tribals turn up in droves is food for thought

R Krishnamoorthy

They exhibit democratic spirit despite a hand-to-mouth existence

TIRUCHI : Showing their patriotic commitment, tribals of Pachamalai hills in Uppiliapuram constituency in Tiruchi district turned out in droves to exercise their franchise on Monday.

The booth at Top Sengattupatti, accounting for the highest number of voters in Thenparanadu cluster on the hills, was brimming with activity for most part of the day, akin to the earlier elections.

The turnout was stated to be similar in Vannadu and Kombai clusters too, altogether covering over 50 hamlets.

Educated youths hailing from the hills, but settled elsewhere in the State, made it a point to return to their ancestral home to cast their votes, while semi-literate youths, most of them cadres of one mainstream party or the other, made their preferences evident through the emblems on the dresses they wore.

Yet, the camaraderie and objective discussions among the youths of different parties, seated together in groups, reflected how well-knit the tribals were socially, rising above political affiliations.

That most of the tribals responded to the elections with a sense of commitment despite eking out a hand-to-mouth existence was a factor that was too conspicuous to go unnoticed.

Their economic condition perhaps explained why they accepted without any hesitation whatsoever the food packets offered by political parties, after they had cast their votes.

The refrain of the cadres at the supplying end was that the voters, especially women, had to be provided with frugal food (tamarind rice) in order to help them resume their routine work. Interestingly, the voters themselves did not think that accepting food was a violation of objective democratic spirit.

Meanwhile, food packets were also reportedly supplied by party cadres at Uppiliapuram and Venkatachalapuram, though there was no tell-tale evidence of parties wooing voters by crooked means in the vicinity of the booths.

Absence of party vehicles transporting voters between their residences and the election booths was largely felt.

By noon, almost all booths in the constituency had registered over 50 per cent polling. The sweltering heat notwithstanding, voters stood patiently for their turn.

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