No Road, No Vote: Villagers in Katigorah Call for Poll Boycott Over Broken Road

With elections approaching, locals of Seuti Part I under Katigorah constituency have announced a boycott of voting, protesting against a severely damaged road that has remained neglected for decades. Hundreds of villagers have joined the movement, raising the slogan “No Road, No Vote” and demanding immediate action from the authorities.

According to the locals, the condition of the road has worsened over the years, making daily life extremely difficult. Even light rainfall turns the stretch into a muddy track, rendering it nearly unusable. Visuals from the area show vehicles getting stuck in thick mud, often requiring several people to push them out.

Villagers say the issue is not new. They allege that successive candidates have promised repairs during elections but failed to deliver once elected. Frustration has now reached a tipping point, leading to the decision to boycott the upcoming polls unless concrete steps are taken.

Men and women from the area took to the road in protest, holding placards and raising slogans. They stated clearly that they would not visit polling stations without a firm assurance and visible progress on road construction.

A local woman said they have seen many MLAs come and go, but the road has never been repaired. She added that children are unable to attend school regularly and patients face serious risks as vehicles cannot reach the village during emergencies.

A youth said he has voted in multiple elections, yet the situation remains unchanged. He pointed out that there are no proper roads connecting the village to nearby areas, affecting mobility and development.

An elderly villager claimed the road has been neglected for decades, possibly since Independence. He said elections come and go, but promises are never fulfilled, leaving the community with no option but to boycott voting this year.

The poor road has also affected the local economy. Farmers are struggling to transport agricultural produce to markets, leading to increased costs and reduced earnings. During the monsoon, students often miss school due to the unsafe conditions. Locals said they want their message to reach the Chief Minister and expect immediate intervention.

However, it should be noted that the Model Code of Conduct is currently in place, which restricts the government from announcing or initiating new projects ahead of elections in order to ensure fairness. Therefore, the demand to repair the road before the election may not be fulfilled. If the issue is not addressed in a timely manner, it could possibly impact voter turnout and influence the electoral outcome in the constituency.

For now, the villagers remain firm on their stand. Their message is clear: no road, no vote.