People hope change in governance

Visakhapatnam: As the general elections are just around the corner, people from the lower strata are hoping for a better future. GVMC sanitary workers, slum-dwellers, DWCRA women and small-scale entrepreneurs are eagerly waiting to cast their vote to bring about change in society. With the increased awareness, voters from lower-income groups are opting for a bright future instead of getting carried away by mere distribution of money, biryani packets and liquor bottles the candidates offer to them ahead of elections.

This time, they say, their self-dignity stands tall against any package that comes their way. Most slum-dwellers in the city have a broad outlook of elections. With meetings held frequently among colony residents, the pros and cons of every political party is being discussed, thereby they decide as to which leader they have to vote for and who is having a vision to develop society, among other aspects.

Ch Indra, a slum-dweller who works at GVMC, said, "Nearly 500 youngsters in and around Madhurawada decided whom to vote. Though TDP government did its best, we want a corruption-free State, who can bring a much-required change in the system which is rather chaotic." Experience and signs of development must be kept in mind before opting for a change, said a group of sanitary workers at GVMC.

They find the present government has done enough for their upliftment. A 70-year-old senior sanitary worker J Demudu was delighted when asked about his opinion on elections, "It is not an easy task to develop the State without much financial support from the Centre. Despite the glitches, the State government took concrete steps to set up Anna canteens, initiate pension scheme and develop infrastructure.

Moreover, the way the city limped back to normalcy in a short span when cyclone Hudhud ravaged the city is something we will always remember," he explained. In Peda Waltair, a few women voters firmly believe that a change in governance is the only way to uplift the downtrodden. P Lakshmi, a GVMC worker, said, "We need to give a chance to a new leader who cares for poor.

We were happy with the previous government because my daughter studied with the help of fee reimbursement facilitated then and one of my colleagues had an open-heart surgery utilising Aarogyasri, schemes such as these really benefited us."

While few voters are happy with the present government, there are some who want to see a change and give an opportunity to other parties. They observe that the polite 'namaste' that greets the under-privileged sections before elections invariably turns hostile after the polls.