Techies in Hyderabad seen largely unconcerned

Hyderabad: The highly educated and sophisticated community, the IT employees in the poll-bound Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits seem least bothered about the constitutional duty of exercising their adult franchise in the elections.

The techies comprise the fast-growing segment among the 74 lakh plus voters in the Greater Hyderabad limits but stood at last in casting their votes in the last Assembly, Lok Sabha and also the 2016 civic body polls.

Even though, the IT professionals have been permitted to perform their job WfM (Work From Home) during Corona pandemic, serious doubts are being raised on their active participation in the ensuing GHMC polls. The IT voters constitute more than 12 per cent in at least 15 divisions in the corporation limits. Gachibowli, Hafizpet, Madapur, Pathacheru, Miyapur, Kukatpally, Balaji Nagar, Chandranagar, Shaikpet, Yusufguda, Kondapur, Sanathnagar, Ameerpet, Uppal, Ramantapur and Sherlingampalli divisions are being dominated by the IT voters.

The poll pattern in the IT employees-concentrated divisions was abysmal in the past as most of the techies skipped casting their vote. For instance, the poll percentage in Gachibolwi, Hafizpet, Madapur, Chandranagar and Miyapur was below 38 per cent in the previous elections. A majority of the IT workers were dwelling in the gated community and mega townships in the city limits.

Every time on the poll day, the techies preferred to go on holiday to their native places or some tourist destinations instead of exercising their vote. Telangana Information Technology Association ( TITA) leader Sandeep said that the association was organising online awareness campaign on the importance of casting their vote. In view of corona scare, they plan to hold door-to-door awareness campaign on voting in the gated communities was cancelled.

The TRS already taken up social media campaign explaining the promotion of IT industry in a big way in the city to woo the IT employees. The BJP claims the Union government's constant measures led to flood of investments in the IT sector in Hyderabad.