Spoilt for choice, Nakodar villagers weigh options

Aparna Banerji

Dhaliwal/Boparai Kalan (Nakodar), February 19

Contrary to hectic activity in cities, with preparations on at polling booths on the eve of polling, village streets are empty and silent — like a holiday. At the sath of Dhaliwal village in Nakodar, a group of villagers talks polls. “It’s a mix of parties this time, even we can’t understand,” says one of them.

There is a conspicuous absence of party flags in villages, which dot every nook and cranny in cities.

While they have been choosing between conventional parties — the Congress and SAD — in the past, with the emergence of other alternatives they are now spoilt for choice. While voters say it is confusing, what’s new is most voters say their voting will reveal their minds, rather than talk about it.

Dalwinder Singh, sarpanch, says: “Earlier, we didn’t know what to do. We are also supporting farmers wholeheartedly. We have been going for the conventional parties and the entire village has a history of voting almost unanimously on the issue. We have planned to go the traditional way.”

Dalbir Singh (70), a farmer, adds: “No one did any work for the past five years. It’s not necessary everyone will go their village way. Everyone has individual votes. There is no consensus as such.”

Pal Singh (75), who takes out his grandson on a pram, says: “It’s a new scenario for us. We are seeing it for the first time. We are not getting divided. Every party is making their own noise. But the voter has his own mind.”

Speaking about whether sacrilege remains an issue, the sarpanch says: “It hasn’t happened in our area. We will see what is beneficial for our village.”

Bhajan Lal from Boprai Kalan village says: “During Channi’s tenure, some work has happened. He has listened to some people, paid attention to issues of employees. If he stayed for some more time, he might have dome more.” Another farmer from the village adds: “A competition is on for votes, we can’t say anything.”

On AAP’s prospects, he says: “When they were strong, they didn’t declare the CM face. But now it’s too late. (They are popular more in other areas).” At Gohir village, villagers say they will bat for development. A villager says: “The AAP didn’t come all these years. Now they are coming. We will vote for those who help develop our village.”