Cartoonist's name struck off voter list

KOLKATA: Cartoonist Chandi Lahiri, who lives in Paikpara, has voted in elections as far back as he can remember. In fact, ever since he moved to the current locality in 1965, he has been voting at the booth in Kumar Ashutosh School. So it was a bit of a shock when he realized on Thursday morning that he could not vote as his name had been struck off the rolls.

“I am a tad disappointed but perhaps such things happen in a big democracy like India. I decided to reach the booth by 7.30 am with my wife and daughter to finish voting before the weather turned too hostile,“ recounted Lahiri. His wife and daughter's names, though, figured in the voter list.

“Initially , I didn't believe my name wasn't there and scanned the list several ti mes. But after rechecks, I realized it was futile. Perhaps, my name has been struck off the list because I am 85. But people should know that despite my age, I am still very active. It is I who have sketched all the cartoons for the state consumer forum. The work was commissioned by the state government. It is, therefore, a surprise that my name does not figure in the list,“ the cartoonist said.