Vaishali residents boycott polls over poor development angst

Vaishali (Bihar), Oct. 29 (ANI): Residents of Vaishali in Bihar have decided to boycott the ongoing Bihar state assembly elections, citing poor development as their reason for doing so.

According to the residents, no candidate interacts with them and only comes to canvas for votes when elections are round the corner.

Due to delimitation, the Mahanar constituency of the district was merged with the Rajapakar constituency and in the process the voters aren't familiar with the candidates.

"We are boycotting the elections because we are not even aware who is contesting the elections. The merger of constituencies is not justified. After delimitation, not a single candidate has paid a visit. We have been completely overlooked," claimed Ajay Kumar Singh, a resident of Hurdsahai village.

Meanwhile, Rama Kishore Singh, a candidate of regional Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) whose name reportedly figures in over a dozen criminal cases including murder and extortion, from Mahnar visited the village.

Its residents told him that there is a lack of employment, education facilities and health services in the area.

Nearly 40 percent of Bihar's 90 million people live below the poverty line, according to a World Bank report on the state.

Bypassed by an economic boom, Bihar's hunger levels, shoddy infrastructure and lack of industry make it one of the most backward regions in South Asia. (ANI)