Thumbs down for memorials

People living close to Mayawati’s numerous memorials in Lucknow,the most visible work done by her government in two years,turned out at polling stations claiming that they wanted to register their protest — against the nuisance and pollution they have had to live with. A polling agent in Gomti Nagar said around 800 voters had come to cast vote at his booth till noon — in the 2007 Assembly elections,that was the total number who voted. R A Singh,resident of Sector-1,who resides exactly opposite the Ambedkar Memorial,made no secret that he had voted against the BSP. “The dust of red stones and noise of heavy machines running round the clock have made our lives miserable,” said Singh,who had voted for the BSP in the Assembly elections. Most of them claimed the same,saying they were transferring their votes as they were disappointed in the Mayawati regime.

Boycott in Sonia land

Gautaman Kheda (Rae Bareli): Priyanka Gandhi was around here till yesterday,but on Thursday,people of this village in Sonia Gandhi’s constituency boycotted voting,alleging they had remained untouched by development despite choosing the Congress for ages. “Road nahin to vote nahin”,“Vikas nahin to vote nahin” and “Chunav bahishkar” declared the graffiti on walls — the nearest road to Gautaman Kheda is 3 km away. “During the rains,the village is cut off. For three months,our children don’t go to schools,” said Krishna Devi (60). Ashok Singh said as it was the first time that the village had got a separate booth,they had decided to show their protest. The village of 500 has around 290 voters. Till 4.30 pm,only eight had voted.