Anger at BJP, BSP & SP Driving Voters to Boycott Polls in Balia

For the first time in 4 decades, a member of ex-PM Chandra Shekhar’s family has been denied ticket from this seat.

Former Prime Minister Chadra Shekhar.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Quint’s election trail reached Balia in Uttar Pradesh, which has been a bastion of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar’s family for 42 years. However, for the first time in over four decades, a Chandra Shekhar’s family has been denied a ticket from this seat.

Chandra Shekhar’s son, Neeraj Shekhar, has been denied aticket by the Samajwadi Party. How is this going to impact the chances of SP-BSP combine against the BJP?

'Locals Have Emotional Connect With Chandra Shekhar’s Family’

The Quint visited the house of Chandra Shekhar’s family – which is also known as ‘jhopadi’ – to meet some of the supporters.

“For the first time in an election, a member of Chandra Shekhar’s family will not contesting. This is has led to anger in public because neither his father, nor 12-term MP Neeraj Shekhar has a single allegation of corruption against them.”

Avinash Singh, local

Some of the supporters feel that by not fielding Neeraj Shekhar, the SP-BSP alliance has damaged its chances.

“Obviously this will have an adverse impact on the SP-BSP alliance because the people of Balia have an emotional connect with the family. Hence, it will automatically give an advantage to the BJP.”

Praveen Singh, local

Locals Also Unhappy With BJP Govt

Locals, on the other hand, are not happy with the BJP government either. The farmers allege that only land owners receive benefits from the government and not farm labourers.

“The one who owns the land reaps all the benefits of the government schemes. We (farm labourers) aren’t even aware of those schemes. We don’t receive any benefits, but losses.”

Kanhaiya Kumar, resident

Other locals allege that village heads took kickbacks while allocating the houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

“The pradhan (village head) make us pay Rs 25,000. Only then did we get houses.”

Ram Awadh Kumar, local

“Only the rich get the benefits. The poor and needy get nothing.”

Shanti Devi, resident

Calls for Boycott of Elections

With locals feeling anger towards candidates from all the major parties, many are considering boycotting the polls.

“We are boycotting voting. We will not vote this time. There are no proper roads to reach our village. How will the election officers go? How will they take the machines? Let the government see how will people manage to travel and vote. The entire village is against elections this year.”

Vijender, resident