First-timers to vote for employment and development

PATNA

: The

first-time voters

are obviously excited about playing a role in electing their representatives and government formation in the country. Majority of them are not concerned about the political hullabaloo made by politicians of all hues during electioneering and feel, like a responsible citizen, about the problems they will expect from their representatives to solve.


Pollution, sanitation and better law and order are the major factors in Patna. Pakhi Kumar of

Kankarbagh

rues the indifference of all political parties toward pollution. “Patna is among the 10 worst polluted cities across the globe. Yet, it was not an issue in this parliamentary elections. Pollution is a major cause of concern for me as more and more people are getting infected. The electorate must think over it before casting their votes,” she said.

Gaurav Sinha (18), an undergraduate student of

Magadh University

, says he will vote for a candidate who will ensure proper development, sanitation, quality education and employment to the educated youth.

Binni Kumari (19), who is pursuing her graduation from a Patna based women’s college, says she will not be influenced by her parents or somebody else. “I will support the candidate who stays in the constituency and addresses the grievances of common people, especially the youth.”

Though Tanya Poddar (19) of the Patna Women’s College feels elated, she is also a bit confused over selecting a candidate among those in the fray. “Ï have little interest in politics. So I will first discuss the issue with my relatives and then decide whom to vote for,” she says.

Patna University

Students’ Union vice-president Anjana Singh says she will support the candidate or the party, which doesn’t talk about caste, creed and religion. “Such things are not good for democracy. Development should be the key factor in the election,” she said.

Surbhi Kumari, however, has done proper homework before taking the decision. “I went through the election manifestos of major political parties and then decided whom to vote for in this election,” she asserts.

Sonali Kumari, who lives near Gandhi Maidan, said, “Ï think it is better to be a voter than a supporter of any particular party.”