Srikakulam: The din and bustle of electioneering that one witnesses in the rural area is limited to visits of the political leaders. In sharp contrast, voters are markedly indifferent. A visit to some of the villages like Laabam, Guttavilli, Kollivalasa, Uppinavalasa Singanapalem, Kallepalli in the mandals of Palakonda, Amadalalvalasa and Burja, just one day before the campaign comes to a close, reveals that people are not very enthusiastic about elections. They are seen idling away their time on the outskirts of the village. Unlike the popular belief that people are busy with farm work, farmers are sitting with their finger crossed because of the frequent rain, which made preparation of nursery beds impossible. Unless there is a long break in rain, it will not be possible to prepare seed beds, said an old farmer in Guttivilli.

Outcome of elections

On their assessment of the outcome of the elections and chances of candidates, an agricultural worker in Thogharam, the native place of TDP district unit president Tammineni Sitaram, said, "How does it matter? It will not have any impact on either me or my village." Most of the people are seen chit chatting at a hotel or a shop or village `chavidi'. The topic is not necessarily politics.

Almost all villages present a pathetic condition, with continuous rain during the last few days. `Kutcha' roads, which are bad enough in normal times, have turned marshy and it is with great difficulty that one drives through these roads by a two-wheeler. The impact of proposed `aadarsa' (model) villages under the Indiramma scheme is yet to be felt in the villages. "Yes leaders are frequenting our villages making promises. Belt shops also have a field day. Bagful of bottles and arrack sachets reach the village by evening. Probably money would also flow in the last few days." this is how people react to various questions on the on-going elections.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail