Shimla, May 18
Residents of Jalgran village in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, are boycotting the upcoming 2024 General Election. They are unhappy because a promised bridge over a railway line has not been built. This bridge is important for the village, which is part of the Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Without the bridge, villagers, including schoolchildren, must dangerously cross the railway tracks every day. This situation puts their lives at risk and shows how the village has been neglected despite many promises from officials.
Villagers are especially upset because children face daily dangers going to school without a safe crossing. This problem has been ignored for a long time, leading the community to decide not to vote as a form of protest.
In response to their anger, reportedly officials from the Public Works Department and the Railway Department have promised to inspect the site together. However, villagers are tired of empty promises after years of waiting.
The boycott in Jalgran is part of a larger trend of dissatisfaction in Himachal Pradesh and across India. Many voters feel disappointed by the BJP government, saying it has not kept its promises even after ten years in power. This sentiment was echoed in the Spiti Valley, where residents of Tashigang, the world’s highest polling station, had also threatened to boycott the election.
With all seats in Himachal Pradesh, including Hamirpur, voting on June 1, the boycott in Jalgran highlights the importance of local issues in national politics. The villagers’ decision to boycott is a call for attention and action. It shows the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and the fulfillment of promises to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
As the nation gets ready for the final phase of the election, the demands from Jalgran and Tashigang emphasize the need for politicians to deliver real progress and improvements in people’s lives.
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