Abdul Salam, 82, braving the winter morning chill was the first to reach the polling booth to cast his vote. However, Salam has little hope from the exercise.
“Whosoever came to sought votes promised heavens to us. However, after being voted to power they disappear from the scene only to return with a fresh set of promises in the next elections,” Salam said.
He said though he expects the least would change but still would give it a try. Like Salam, there were several other young and old voters queued up to vote but expecting least.
“We don’t expect any personal benefits but the candidates we elect should at least ensure we are not being denied of basic facilities,” said Ghulam Muhamad, 75. Bilal Ahmad, a youth said that the poor had always been neglected in the village.
“The kith and kin of village representatives get benefits under MGNREGA, IAY or ration for poor schemes, while the deserving ones are always neglected,” he said.