18 Apr 2024  |   06:57am IST

Farmers from Barcem in Quepem don’t know who their candidates are

Farmers are unaware as to who their present candidates are; first-timers say only false promises are being dished out with no accountability; want elected representatives to concentrate on development

Team Herald

CUNCOLIM: Barcem farmers while in tune with nature as they live amidst verdant fields and winding river, appear to be totally ignorant of the political process as they are not even aware of the elections they are going to participate in shortly.

While these farmers till their lands and come to urban areas like Cuncolim to sell their produce, they are totally in the dark of the Lok Sabha elections as they did not even know the names of the present candidates.

The vendors at Cuncolim market selling their vegetables could not answer basic questions like what they would want their MP to do, though some of them did say that Francisco Sardinha was the outgoing MP.

In contrast, first-time voters at the ensuing elections were quite excited over their participation in the democratic process and also vocal about what they desired from their elected representatives.

Sociology graduate Ms Furtado from Sarzora said elections are an important component of the democratic process.

“Unfortunately, today it is reduced to corruption and dishonesty with only false promises being dished out with no accountability absolutely,” she said.

Deepak Azrekar, another first-time voter said elected representatives should concentrate on development while ensuring that benefits of this accrue to the younger generation.

“I would like to see an India where farmers engage with candidates demanding accountability,” said Deepak adding that this would be a true indication of success of democracy.