Pucca roads, drinking water supply and drainage facilities, or rather their lack, dominates the polls in Malakpet this time around. With the D-day just around the corner, the eight divisions continue to be plagued by civic issues. This just might produce an unexpected result.
Sewage water trickles downs the road as residents go about their day-to-day chores in Kamalnagar, Azampura. “We have been living with the smell for the last four months,” says Ramaswami, a resident. Added to this, two bore wells are not working leaving close to 400 households dependent on the remaining two. Similar problems persist in other divisions such as Saleemnagar and Akberbagh.
Vinayak Veedhi, which leads to a major residential colony in Azampura was dug up more than a year ago and is yet to be recarpetted. One half of the road, which has uneven bumps restricts all movement to the other half. “I had to take my mother to the hospital last week, but no autos would come so she had to walk to the main road,” says Faridunnissa.
Fever and other ailments have become common in every division, often attributed to the recurring problem of overflowing garbage. Street lights too don't seem to work in nearly every area. Even street dogs pose a major menace. At least two children are reported to have died from dog bites but residents say municipal authorities are yet to heed their calls. Malakpet has close to 40 per cent minority votes, which is the dominant vote bank. Considered to be an MIM stronghold, the area sees Lok Satta (LSP) and Praja Rajyam contesting the civic polls for the first time. “The most basic amenities are still not available. Only after solving these day-to-day problems, can we think further,” says G. Venu Gopal Rao, the Saleemnagar candidate for LSP.
The constituency has eight divisions – Moosarambagh, Saidabad, Chavni, Akberbagh, Saleemnagar, Old Malakpet, Azampura and Dabeerpura (part). The MIM has a good hold in the area though the Telugu Desam, Congress and BJP too have some pockets of influence in this constituency.
