In a significant shift of strategy, residents of Bamleshwari Nagar layout in Nagpur's Prabhag 4 have decided to return to the ballot box, admitting that their earlier decision to boycott elections proved to be a counterproductive move. The community, which abstained from voting in the 2019 assembly elections to protest the severe lack of basic civic infrastructure, is now gearing up to participate in the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections scheduled for January 15.
Years of Neglect and a Failed Protest
The locality, primarily housing lower-middle-income families, has been grappling with fundamental issues for years. Residents allege they were sold plots in an unauthorised layout by a builder, which left the area outside the formal development network of the city. This exclusion resulted in prolonged delays and a complete absence of essential infrastructure like proper roads, sewer lines, and a reliable water supply.
Leading the 2019 protest was resident Ghanshyam Khobragade, who now reflects on the boycott's failure. "It's difficult to raise a voice against the system. We realised the boycott was not serving any purpose, so we decided to vote," Khobragade stated. He emphasized that even after six years, the situation remains dire. "The drinking water pipeline came only four months ago. Roads are still dirt tracks that become unusable during the monsoon, and toilets still depend on septic tanks," he explained.
The Realization: From Boycott to Ballot
The residents' hope that their electoral boycott would jolt the authorities into action proved to be entirely misplaced. "Nothing happened. Nobody cared," Khobragade said, summarizing the outcome. This stark realization prompted a change in their civic approach. The community now believes that engaging with the democratic process is the only way forward to resolve their hyper-local issues.
"Now we feel it is better to exercise our vote and keep following up with elected representatives. These are local issues, and we need a full-time corporator to take them up. That is why voting is important," Khobragade added. The residents assert they are legitimate citizens who legally purchased the plots and paid registration charges, and should not be punished for the builder's alleged faults.
Daily Struggles in Bamleshwari Nagar
The decision to boycott in 2019 was born out of immense daily hardship. Residents had put up banners declaring a 'no roads, no votes' protest. Their daily life was plagued by waterlogging and the terrifying lack of access for emergency vehicles. During monsoons, people were forced to park their two-wheelers on the main road and wade through knee-deep water to reach their homes. In critical situations, ambulances often found it impossible to enter the area, putting lives at risk.
This painful experience has now transformed into a resolve to participate. As the NMC election day approaches, the residents of Bamleshwari Nagar are determined to use their franchise, hoping that this time, their vote will translate into the roads, water, and sewage systems they have been denied for over half a decade.
