Complete Election Boycott in Parbhani Village Over Bridge Dispute
In an unprecedented display of collective protest, the entire electorate of Both village and its surrounding hamlets in Selu taluka, Parbhani district, Maharashtra, abstained from voting in the local self-governing body elections on Saturday. A total of 466 registered voters deliberately boycotted the polls to amplify their demand for a significantly larger bridge over the local Karpara river than the one sanctioned by the authorities.
Polling Booth Remains Deserted Despite Official Appeals
Despite concerted efforts by local administration officials to persuade residents, not a single villager appeared at the designated polling station throughout the voting day. The boycott was total and unwavering, turning the electoral exercise into a silent protest. Block Development Officer for Selu, Uday Jadhav, confirmed that all attempts to convince the villagers to participate in the democratic process proved futile.
"We made every possible effort, but the villagers were resolute in their decision not to vote. Their primary grievance revolves around the scale of the bridge project," Jadhav stated. He elaborated that a sum of Rs 50 lakh had already been sanctioned for the construction of a bridge for Both village, funded through the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC). The inauguration of the construction work is scheduled to commence once the model code of conduct period concludes.
Villagers Cite Tragic Incidents Due to Lack of Proper Bridge
The villagers' protest is rooted in urgent safety concerns and past tragedies. They argue that the absence of a robust, adequately sized bridge across the Karpara river has led to multiple fatalities and severe hardships. Sunil Rathod, a resident, highlighted several distressing incidents to underscore their plight.
"Recently, a pregnant woman suffered the loss of her baby while being transported to a hospital in a bullock cart because the existing crossing was inadequate. We have also recorded incidents of snake bites and other accidents directly attributable to the lack of a proper bridge. The current sanctioned structure is insufficient for our needs and safety," Rathod explained.
Authorities Defend Approved Bridge as Sufficient
In response to the villagers' demands, local authorities maintain that the bridge approved for construction is of appropriate size and meets the necessary requirements for the area. Officials contend that there is no substantive merit in the demand for a larger structure, suggesting that the sanctioned project is both adequate and feasible within the allocated budget and planning parameters.
The standoff highlights a critical gap between grassroots demands for infrastructure and official project approvals. While the administration views the Rs 50 lakh bridge as a solution, the community perceives it as an inadequate response to their long-standing safety issues, leading to this extreme form of democratic protest through election boycott.
