Kolkata witnessed a determined electorate on Wednesday as voters braved adverse weather and personal health challenges to cast their ballots. The recent SIR exercise, which has caused unease among residents, seemed to be a stronger motivator than the rain or physical discomfort.
Elderly and Ailing Voters Show Resolve
Gouri Routh, a resident of Picnic Garden, was discharged from the hospital just two days ago. Despite the rain, she did not hesitate to go to her polling booth at Elias Meyer School in Bowbazar. Her son, Kamal, explained, 'My mother returned home two days ago, but given the SIR fear, we came to vote.'
Seventy-one-year-old Ruma Sil got caught in the rain after casting her vote. 'I came early to avoid rain, but while I was waiting, it started raining heavily,' she said.
Long Queues and Determination
Amiya Pal and his wife Kalyani arrived at their booth in Jadavpur at 10:15 am to find a long queue already formed. They returned later around 1 pm to vote. 'We have never seen such long queues. The SIR scare is a driving force,' Amiya remarked.
Gynaecologist Sushil Kumar Samanta, aged 85, from Salt Lake FE Block, arrived at the booth with a walker and assisted by his son. He said, 'I underwent a surgery but did not want to skip voting. I was not made to wait in a queue.'
Rain Prompts Precautions, but Not Deterrence
The India Meteorological Department's prediction of rain prompted many voters to carry umbrellas. Kajal Das from Kasba stated, 'As the sky was overcast, I took my umbrella. Voting was a priority, especially as my name was restored after judicial scrutiny.'
Basanti Saha and her husband were in the queue in Panihati when it started raining. They got drenched but did not leave without voting. The rain stopped after about an hour.
Kashmira Guha Niyogi, a Park Street resident, said, 'I usually vote early, but this time we went only after the rain stopped.'
The unwavering spirit of Kolkata's voters, despite rain and health issues, underscores the importance they placed on exercising their democratic right amid the SIR exercise concerns.
