NOTA only option: Over 1200 villagers from Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur to boycott Assembly election

Workers from some parties were chased away by locals from Hulaspurwa village in Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday when he reached there to seek votes. Over 1200 anguished villagers have, similarly, driven out other politicians who have come here to woo voters ahead of elections.

The villagers have decided to boycott the upcoming UP election this year, as they did not get help from any political party or from the government in the wake of the floods that ravaged parts of Lakhimpur district in July last year.

Villagers allege that no aid was provided by the government even after they moved to makeshift accommodations in nearby areas. Moreover, they have for long been demanding a river embankment on the Ghaghra river but nothing has happened so far.

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The floods destroyed acres of fertile land, houses and properties, forcing people to rebuild from scratch without any help from concerned officials.

Mohammad Jamali, a resident of Lakhimpur said, "They notice us only during elections."

Another resident Usha Devi has vowed to not vote for any party in this election after her pleas for help fell on deaf ears following the floods that washed away her house and belongings.

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"Political leaders wake up from their slumber once in every five years," adds Rakesh Kumar, another flood-hit victim.

Time and again, leaders from almost all parties have tried to lure voters in this villagers by making promises, but fulfilled none.

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