Roads, potholes, water: Local issues dominate
National issues, like the reading down of Article 370 , did not attract electorate.
Unlike theLok Sabha polls , locals issues such as roads, water, potholes and infrastructure mattered the most to voters in the Maharashtra assembly election on Monday. The electorate was expressing its displeasure about the lack of basic facilities while voting. National issues, like the reading down of Article 370 in Kashmir, skirmishes on the border in which Pakistani soldiers were killed, delivery of Rafael jets from France, did not attract the people.
Meghana Pabbu, 18, a first-time voter from Sion-Koliwada, was excited to exercise her franchise. Asked what she expects from her MLA, she said the condition of roads in her area needs to be improved. “The roads in Sion-Koliwada are the worst. This is a basic facility that we expect from the government. During monsoon there are many potholes. I don’t have big demands; I am only asking for basic infrastructure,” she said.
Radhika Sharma, 41, from Wadala was unhappy about potholes on roads and inflation. “The entire city has potholes. Even if the people make noises about it, the government has no time to pay attention. They keep talking about Article 370. But how will that make a difference in my day-to-day life? Talk about basic issues that concern us the most. Tomatoes are Rs 80 per kg, onions are Rs 55 per KG. How do I run the kitchen budget? Is it not the responsibility of the government to intervene?” Sharma asked.
Untitled Carousel
Rajiv Raja, a voter from Bandra West constituency and a musician by profession, said his area’s heritage should be preserved. The skyscrapers that have come up in recent years are an eyesore, he said, adding efforts must be made to preserve Bandra’s green cover.
Yusuf Sheikh’s vote was in Bandra West and he came all the way from Nalasopara to cast it. He said the government must ensure speedy redevelopment of old buildings. “My building went for redevelopment almost six years ago, but there is hardly any progress. We don’t know when we will be able to move into our house.”
Prashant Pawaskar, a lawyer and voter in Bandra East, said every monsoon residents have to put up with water logging and potholes. The state government and theBMC must take concreate steps to resolve these problems, he said. Pawaskar also wanted the overall green coverage of the city to increase.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that the BJP government had not kept the promises it made in 2014. “The people’s feedback is very vocal. The government keeps talking about the bullet train and thehyperloop technology . They cannot even provide smooth road connectivity and basic facility like water,” he said. With inputs from Makarand Gadgil
Untitled Carousel
Unlike the
Meghana Pabbu, 18, a first-time voter from Sion-Koliwada, was excited to exercise her franchise. Asked what she expects from her MLA, she said the condition of roads in her area needs to be improved. “The roads in Sion-Koliwada are the worst. This is a basic facility that we expect from the government. During monsoon there are many potholes. I don’t have big demands; I am only asking for basic infrastructure,” she said.
For Chandrakanth Maitri, 38, from Dharavi, lack of cleanliness was a big problem. He said the road in front of the polling booth was cleaned only yesterday, just in time for voting day. “Dharavi is very dirty otherwise. Heaps of garbage, open gutters, littered and muddy roads – that’s all a common scene. We want our area to be cleaned. Also, Dharavi redevelopment is a major issue for us. The project has not moved an inch,” he said.
Radhika Sharma, 41, from Wadala was unhappy about potholes on roads and inflation. “The entire city has potholes. Even if the people make noises about it, the government has no time to pay attention. They keep talking about Article 370. But how will that make a difference in my day-to-day life? Talk about basic issues that concern us the most. Tomatoes are Rs 80 per kg, onions are Rs 55 per KG. How do I run the kitchen budget? Is it not the responsibility of the government to intervene?” Sharma asked.
Rajiv Raja, a voter from Bandra West constituency and a musician by profession, said his area’s heritage should be preserved. The skyscrapers that have come up in recent years are an eyesore, he said, adding efforts must be made to preserve Bandra’s green cover.
Yusuf Sheikh’s vote was in Bandra West and he came all the way from Nalasopara to cast it. He said the government must ensure speedy redevelopment of old buildings. “My building went for redevelopment almost six years ago, but there is hardly any progress. We don’t know when we will be able to move into our house.”
Prashant Pawaskar, a lawyer and voter in Bandra East, said every monsoon residents have to put up with water logging and potholes. The state government and the
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that the BJP government had not kept the promises it made in 2014. “The people’s feedback is very vocal. The government keeps talking about the bullet train and the
GALLERIES View more photos