In a strong act of democratic protest, the residents of Darshana Cooperative Housing Society in Nagpur have declared a complete boycott of the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. Fed up with years of official apathy towards severe civic problems, the citizens of Jaywant Nagar in Gawande Layout have put up posters announcing their decision to abstain from voting.
A Protest Born Out of Frustration
The aggrieved residents, who live in Ward 34 of the NMC and the southwest Nagpur assembly constituency, stated that their repeated pleas to the civic authorities and local representatives have fallen on deaf ears. Despite submitting numerous memorandums and making multiple representations over the years, they have seen no tangible action to resolve their grievances. "If nothing changes, why should we vote?" questioned the residents, capturing the sentiment of the boycott.
Encroachments and Unhygienic Conditions Plague the Area
Ironically, the locality falls under the assembly constituency of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, yet residents allege a complete breakdown of civic governance. They report that encroachments on plots are happening openly, with internal layout roads being occupied, which severely restricts movement. The area suffers from rampant garbage accumulation and unhygienic conditions, creating a persistent health hazard.
Residents claim they have approached both the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) several times, following up diligently on their complaints. However, no concrete action has been initiated. Many expressed fear of directly confronting the encroachers and revealed that several families now regret investing large sums to purchase homes in the area.
Safety Concerns and Political Apathy
The situation has escalated beyond mere civic neglect. The residents allege that vacant plots have been taken over by hutments where illegal activities like gambling and liquor sales are common. Frequent altercations in these settlements have raised serious safety concerns for the original inhabitants. Furthermore, the discharge of wastewater and filth from these hutments has led to a persistent foul stench enveloping the locality.
In a final attempt to seek redress, the residents even approached the offices of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Unfortunately, these high-level interventions also failed to yield any results. With all doors seemingly closed and no relief in sight, the community felt it had no option left but to use its electoral power as a tool of protest.
Their collective decision to boycott the forthcoming NMC polls is a stark message to the political establishment, highlighting how persistent civic failure can erode the very foundation of democratic engagement.
