Old promises of little interest to 1st time voters

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 10

What does the first-time voter want? Better roads, improved education system, jobs and smart phones? Call it the effect of social media or credit the youth for knowing what exactly they want from their leaders and representatives.

They may have come fresh out of schools and learning the ways of the world while studying in colleges, yet they want parties to focus on issue-based politics rather than mere talks.

During a free-wheeling conversation with Bathinda Tribune, hundreds of first-time voters opined that unemployment, drug menace, poor connectivity between cities and villages, reservation, poor infrastructure and proper use of funds were the issues, which they wanted the candidates to focus on.

Preparing to cast their vote for the first time, some have not even received their voter ID cards.

The first-time voters believe that whatever the promises are, parties tend to backtrack later.

Satpal Singh, a BA final year student at Government Rajindra College said, “All candidates are making tall promises right now but things would be clear when they come to power. We don’t want the stereotype promises but expect candidates to take up issues related to the youth.”

Another student Lakhbir Singh was clear that he wanted the government to stop the misuse of funds.

“To woo voters just before the elections, the government is spending money on Tirath Yatra scheme and building memorials. These may promote our culture but we must have our priorities. Infrastructure at government educational institutions should be given a boost rather than promoting private players in the field of education,” he said.

Joginder Singh (18) from the Bathinda (Urban) constituency said the major problems that the youth were facing were unemployment and drug menace.

“The biggest question troubling everyone during the college life is whether he/she would get a job or not. Drugs have ruined the youth of the state, which the next government, no matter which party forms it, needs to tackle on a war footing. The government should also lower the fees to ensure higher enrolment in colleges,” he said.

Beant Kaur of Singo Lehri village and Lakmi of Bhagta Bhaika, who will cast their votes for the first time, said, “Non-availability of funds for granting scholarships to students is a big problem. Every year, we fill forms but the scholarship money is not released, which adds to the financial burden on our families.”

Kiran and Jhalak Singh want the next government to work towards abolishing the caste-based reservation system and semester system in universities.

“While one policy is wasting the talent and eligibility of students and budding professionals, the other is wasting time of students by conducting examinations every four months,” they said.

Manjinder Singh, a first year BBA student from Burj Mehma, said poor connectivity between cities and villages in the state must also be taken up by the candidates.

“While the PRTC doesn’t have enough buses to increase connectivity, the buses plying on rural routes don’t allow students to board as they don’t accept students’ passes. Private buses also waste time with too many halts during the journey,” he said.