Udupi: The enthusiasm shown by the elderly by actively voting in ZP and TP elections shows their passion and zeal in exercising their franchise. The district witnessed elderly people being accompanied by their families to vote in the polling station.
Mutti Shettigar aged about 70 years casts her vote in every election. Susheela Sherigar who is 82 years of age lives alone after her daughters got married; managing her daily jobs she was accompanied by her neighbor to cast her vote in Government Higher Primary School for 17 Atradi ZP constituency.
Padakka Shetty aged about 88 years in Perdoor was accompanied by her daughter who also casts her vote in every election. Thammayya Nayak aged about 88 years walked alone to the polling station in Perdoor to cast his vote, he says that elections promoted development.
The voting enthusiasm didn’t prevail over Mutlapadi village, as the elections were boycotted since the demands of the locals were not settled.
Subash Naik resident of Mudu Darkas a ST colony alleged that the funds released to their colony were utilized for another colony. The 60 acre colony has issues with drinking water, electricity supply and connectivity. The politicians make tall promises during elections but the core issues of the colony are not addressed. He also said that the residents of the colony were daily wagers and women were associated with beedi and cashew industries. Subash says that connectivity was a major hurdle as students faced problems to commute to school as roads are damaged. He also said that though the village was tagged as a Naxal affected area, no funds from the Naxal Package were initiated for the development of the village.
The colony has 174 voters who have boycotted voting even after the ANF DySP held several rounds of talks with them.
The district administration along with police department has initiated peaceful voting process while no incidents are reported in the district.
