South Pune Residents Demand Basic Amenities
On Wednesday, residents of South Pune gathered to protest against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). They demanded the fulfillment of basic civic amenities, which they claim have been neglected for over 18 years. Protestors displayed posters stating “Deprived and Betrayed by PMC for above 18 years” and “Buy water to survive”. They also threatened to boycott the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls, citing the PMC’s failure to address their issues since 2017.
A local resident expressed frustration, stating, “I think it is a citizen’s legitimate right to ask for water. We are paying the highest number of taxes and although we are now under the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Commissioner from 2017, water is a basic necessity. For us, we are very clear, no water, no tax, no vote because the people (political leaders) are coming to us (for vote) every five years. They are making promises, but things have remained the same for the last two decades. It’s been so many years now…”
As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, scheduled for November 20, this protest highlights the growing discontent among citizens. The election results will be counted on November 23. The major contest is between the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress. Both sides are intensifying their preparations for the assembly polls.
In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress won 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena secured 63, and Congress won 42 seats.
Doubts Revealed
Pune Municipal Corporation -: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is the local governing body responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Pune, India. It takes care of things like roads, water supply, and waste management.
Basic Amenities -: Basic amenities are essential services and facilities that people need for a comfortable life, such as clean water, electricity, and proper roads. In this context, residents are asking for these basic needs to be met.
Boycott -: To boycott means to refuse to participate in something as a form of protest. Here, the residents are threatening not to vote in the elections to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Maharashtra assembly polls -: The Maharashtra assembly polls are elections held to choose representatives for the legislative assembly of the state of Maharashtra, India. These elections decide who will make important decisions for the state.
Mahayuti alliance -: The Mahayuti alliance is a political coalition in Maharashtra, which includes parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. They work together to contest elections and form the government.
Maha Vikas Aghadi -: The Maha Vikas Aghadi is another political alliance in Maharashtra, consisting of parties like the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). They are the main opposition to the ruling alliance.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India. It is one of the key players in Indian politics and is part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena -: Shiv Sena is a regional political party in Maharashtra, India. It has been a significant player in the state’s politics and is part of different alliances at different times.
Congress -: The Congress, or Indian National Congress, is one of the oldest political parties in India. It has played a major role in Indian politics and is part of the opposition alliance in Maharashtra.