Bankura’s village issues election boycott call over poor infrastructure, water crisis, and administrative neglect

Bordda village, located in the Taldangra block of Bankura district, has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming by-election scheduled for November 13. The villagers have voiced concerns over a series of unresolved issues, including deteriorating road conditions, a critical water shortage, poor quality of services at the ICDS center, and the failure to implement government welfare schemes, despite numerous complaints and appeals to local authorities. The decision to boycott the election stems from a lack of action by the administration, leaving the villagers with no choice but to take a stand against the electoral process until their issues are addressed.

One of the most pressing issues for the villagers is the condition of the roads leading to Bordda. Although a small portion of the internal roads within the village is paved, a three-kilometer stretch leading to the village from the main road is in a deplorable state. The poor road conditions have made it difficult for emergency services, including ambulances and fire engines, to access the village, which poses a serious risk to residents' safety. Furthermore, villagers have reported difficulty reaching the nearest polling booth in Kuldiha, as the road leading to it is overgrown with shrubs and in disrepair, making it challenging to travel to and from the location.

The drinking water crisis in Bordda is another significant issue. Despite the installation of a drinking water pipeline, the pipeline has not been connected to a water source, leaving the village without an adequate water supply. There is only one functional tube well in the entire village, which serves more than 100 families. Due to the limited capacity of the tube well, the water supply is insufficient, forcing residents to rely on water from a nearby river for drinking and daily use. The villagers have raised concerns about the quality and safety of river water, as it is not a sustainable or clean source of drinking water.

In addition to water and infrastructure problems, Bordda’s ICDS center, which is responsible for providing nutrition to children and pregnant women, has been a source of dissatisfaction among the villagers. Complaints regarding the poor quality of food being provided have been ongoing. Furthermore, villagers have not received the benefits from several government welfare schemes, such as housing projects, which they claim have been delayed or not implemented at all. The villagers allege that despite repeated complaints and requests for assistance, the administration has failed to address these issues or provide tangible solutions.

As the election approaches, the villagers' frustration has reached a peak. The local Booth Level Officer (BLO) attempted to distribute voter slips to the villagers, but they were refused, signaling their intent to boycott the election. The villagers have made it clear that they will not participate in the electoral process unless their demands for improved road infrastructure, water supply, and the delivery of promised government benefits are met.