Punjab villagers express lament over failed political promises ahead of polls

Rajatal/Jalandhar (Punjab), Jan.20 (ANI): Villagers living in the border areas of Rajatal and Jalandhar in Punjab on Friday expressed sorrow over political parties and state governments failing to provide basic amenities to them.

Speaking ahead of assembly elections in the state, residents of Rajatal village in Amritsar District said they were unhappy and disillusioned with various regional parties.

"There are a lot of problems in the area. There is poor transport. We face problems of school and hospitals. We do no even get clean drinking water here," said Jagmeet Singh, a villager.

The villagers, however, praised the Election Commission of India's strict Model Code of Conduct for poll-bound states.

Onkar Singh said: "This is a very good step taken up by the election commission, as the brawls that used to take place between people after consuming alcohol are not happening anymore."

Former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh, who is contesting the elections on a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket from the Jalandhar Cantonment constituency in the state, said he would do his level best to eradicate corruption and work for development in the region.

Development has emerged as the focal point of the electoral battle with anti-incumbency, the new buzz dominating the political circuit.

The ruling SAD-BJP coalition has been criticized for poor infrastructure and failure to provide basic amenities in Punjab. The state Congress party has emerged as the top beneficiary from this lacklustre performance but it battles its corrupt federal image in the state.

Punjab is one of five states due to hold elections in January and February 2012. State assembly polls in Punjab will take place on January 30. (ANI)