Malekudiya tribal settlements in Bhanjarumale and Kuthlur in Beltangady taluk have decided to boycott voting on April 18 protesting district administration’s failure in providing basic amenities.
Banjarumale Malekudiya colony residents had even raised a banner boycotting the previous Lok Sabha poll. Meanwhile, tribal leaders are convincing the residents to reconsider their decision and exercise their franchise. “None of the families in Banjarumale Malekudiya has BPL cards. Our demands to renovate the existing community hall has fallen on deaf ears,” Ashoka Malekudiya, a local leader, told DH.
None of the politicians, except former MLA Vasanth Bangera, stood by them in their hour of crisis. Hence, they were in no mood to vote, he added.
The tribal leaders are hopeful that Malekudiyas would withdraw their decision.