Vote without fear or favour, women told

Malakpet: With the assembly elections round the corner, it is not just the politicians and party cadre that are going all out to woo voters. Women too have been gathering in different locations in a bid to spread awareness on voting without being influenced. 

At one such meeting held at Malakpet on Monday, close to 40 women in and around the area met to discuss and deliberate on the forthcoming polls. Huda, a social activist said, “Even in this day and age, some women vote as per the directions of their husband or elders in the family. 

The whole purpose of participatory democracy gets defeated.”  “We have no specific channel to propagate our message thus the meeting,” she added. Women should not vote for a candidate keeping religious considerations but cast their vote based on merit. 

Among the participants, several women did not cast their vote and were told to, this time around. The discussion veered around several political parties. 

While some were of the opinion that the party that has been powerful for the past several years, if voted to power, could become complacent, other parties too could be given a chance. Huda said, “Md Muzaffar Ali Khan of TDP for instance could be given an opportunity.” 

It is learnt that Muzaffar Ali Khan promised voters that the building under construction near Chanchalguda Jail would be converted into a residential complex for the lower and middle-class families with minimal rent. 

Educational loans, condition of roads, healthcare and water problem took priority over other issues.