Villagers of Ambivali boycott elections for being deprived of civic amenities

The last seven elections – civic, assembly and parliamentary – have been boycotted by residents of Mohili and Ambivali as they were deprived of facilities from the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

But, this time KDMC has now allotted a special package for these villages and are trying to convince them to vote. "We have been deprived of good roads, toilets, water, proper drainage system and electricity for 20 years. So we have not been voting in any election and not paid any property or water tax," says Manish Mahadev, a resident of Ambivali.

The corporation is luring voters from these villages by promising all the facilities after the polls. "We have asked them to draft a proposal about their needs and accordingly we will sanction an amount for the works," says Shankar Bhise, civic chief.

"Casting your vote is the fundamental right of every citizen and they should exercise it. We are ready to meet their demands but they should vote," adds Bhise.
Ganesh Mhatre leads the Gramin Vikas Samiti in these villages and KDMC is in talks with him over these matters. Once the villagers make the proposal for development in these areas, KDMC will take matters ahead.