2 days Ago
Pune: Young and first-time voters in the city are demanding attention to educational and civic infrastructure from their future MLAs, to be decided in the state assembly election held today. In this key electoral group, dissatisfaction and distrust seems to be rife with existing legislators. Over 2.
10 crore young voters are poised to take part in determining the future of Maharashtra, and many members of this demographic cited feeling continuously neglected, with their voices left unheard amidst constant political battles. Casting their ballot will be a chance to bring attention to their demands, numerous students said, when TOI visited six city colleges and spoke to several first-time voters to gather their opinions. For instance, first-time voter Prathamesh Basagare (25) said, "None of the political parties have done anything to ensure that the youth are satisfied enough to vote for them.
We want better civic infrastructure like roads, better education, and proper utilisation of funds rather than just large-scale events. Except for the ECI's ad and my own will to ensure a better future, none of the parties have motivated us to vote." Young voters also said the anti-incumbency sentiment is palpable due to corruption, lack of commitment towards the constituency, and improper usage of funds allocated to various representatives.
This time, youngsters said they hope to see a new candidate representing many seats in the legislative assembly. Aditya Taware, a 20-year-old first-time voter, said, "Some development has occurred over the last few years. The water in my village is so polluted now that we can't use it for any form of irrigation, and farmers don't have any other source either.
I am from the Baramati, and the biggest topic even for young voters is the Sharad Pawar-Ajit Pawar split and the Maratha quota issue." While political imbroglios are inescapable, the trend is also seeing younger voters gravitate towards issues of the environment as a prominent expectation driving their ballot. Vedant Panchwadkar, a voter from Maval assembly segment, said, "Metro construction in Pimpri Chinchwad will probably lead to many trees being cut down.
Politicians must focus on development while safeguarding the environment." Many young voters said they are so disappointed with the lack of basic infrastructure in existence that they have abstained from getting a voting card this year. A young woman, choosing anonymity, said, "Women's safety is the biggest issue along with road infrastructure.
However, without someone addressing these problems sincerely, I don't have the heart to vote for anyone. It has disappointed me. So, I did not get a voting card.
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