Though generally civic issues gain importance during the municipal corporation (MC) elections and issues of national importance gain centrestage during parliamentary polls, this time around, issues such as, garbage disposal and broken roads, have become hot issues in Ludhiana even in the parliamentary polls.
Not realising that the management of civic issues lies with the MC and not the member of Parliament (MP), a large number of residents from different areas of the city have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections due to the apathetic attitude of the civic body. Most of these areas are flooded with problems of improper garbage dumping or poor road infrastructure.
Shopkeepers of Gian Singh Rarewala market had recently decided to boycott the elections due to the parking problem they were facing due to barricades installed by the MC in the market.
Residents of BRS Nagar and Seeta Nagar had also decided to boycott polls accusing the MC of not lifting garbage from their area.
Political leaders feel lack of awareness among the residents was the reason due to which people were boycotting the elections.
Besides, both Congress as well as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have taken the matter as an opportunity to slam each other.
While Congress claims that it is the sheer failure of the state government due to which it has not been able to improve the condition of roads and other civic issues, the BJP claims that it is a conspiracy of Congress to divert the attention of people from their corrupt policies and keep them indulged in minor issues during the Lok Sabha elections.
{{/usCountry}}While Congress claims that it is the sheer failure of the state government due to which it has not been able to improve the condition of roads and other civic issues, the BJP claims that it is a conspiracy of Congress to divert the attention of people from their corrupt policies and keep them indulged in minor issues during the Lok Sabha elections.
{{/usCountry}}Congress councillors’ spokesperson Parminder Mehta said, “It is also the lack of awareness among people that they are taking up these issues during parliamentary elections. But we also have to keep in mind that people are fed up of the SAD-BJP alliance in the state that has not fulfilled its promises of development.”
In contrast, BJP district president Parveen Bansal said, “Congress has raked up those issues that should be highlighted during the municipal or state assembly elections. Although the issues of roads and garbage are also important, issues of national importance should be taken up during Lok Sabha polls.”