Left in the lurch
The just concluded elections to the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation have left many in the lurch as they were deprived of their right to vote.
The reason was that many of them could not produce voter slips at the polling stations whereas the State Election Commission stated several times that people could cast their voters even if they do not have voter slips, by producing any one of the 21 photo-identity proofs. But, the civic authorities turned away a large number of voters, in violation of the norms. Necessary action should be taken to protect the people’s right to vote in the coming general elections.
S.V.B. Narayana Rao
Vijayawada
Shifting loyalty
may backfire
The TDP leadership seems to be dependent on the Congress to wage the electoral battle, which is a question of life-and-death for it. Many Congress leaders who are joining the party are facing the ire of voters in their respective constituencies. Even though they shifted their loyalty all of a sudden, the voters might not change their opinion immediately. Hence, fielding turncoats in the general polls might be counterproductive.
R. Ramamurthy
Machilipatnam
Bus shelters
in bad shape
City bus passengers are facing a lot of difficulty at the bus shelters as those are in a bad shape, forcing the commuter to stand outside. Some shelters have become refuge for stray dogs and even beggars.
RTC officials might have taken up refurbishment but things become bad soon for the lack of proper monitoring.
Besides, shelters at many places have been converted into makeshift parking lots. A comprehensive plan of action should be put in place and executed to solve the problem.
V. Santha Kumari
Venkateswara Nagar
Vijayawada
Readers interested in writing for this column are requested to send their letters to vijayawada@thehindu.co.in before Saturday.
