Nilgiris tribes show keen interest in casting vote

Ooty: Tribesmen showed keen interest in polling in the Nilgiris that added to the spirit of democracy.

While the Paniya tribes in Chemman Colony near Pandalar on the Nilgiris border, who hoisted black flags in the their hamlets a few days ago, to show their protest to the contesting candidates and prevented politicians from visiting their hamlet for campaigning, finally decided to cast their votes and visited the polling station nearby on Thursday, and voted.

Toda tribes from Muthanadmund Toda hamlet near here, who had to travel a few kilometers this time to cast their votes, said that they felt very proud to be part of the polls and to involve in the democratic exercise.

"Earlier, the polling station was at Thalaikundah which is just a walkable distance from this hamlet. Now, the polling station was shifted to Kalhatti area which is a few kilometers away. We organized a vehicle to travel to Kallhatti. We only plead that from the next elections, the polling station be brought back to Thalaikundah," said Thikesh Kuttan alias Mohan, a senior Toda tribesman residing at the Muthanadmund hamlet here.

At Sholur village limits, the Kota tribes who live in good numbers in Kokkal Kota hamlet, turned up in good numbers on Thursday to cast their votes, at the polling booth set up in their area.

Malar Mala, a Kota tribeswoman there,  said that Kota tribes are well aware that this election is to elect MP and ultimately the next Central government and prime minister of the country.

"We are delighted to be part of this democratic process and to exercise the franchise," she added.

The polling percentage at Nilgiris (SC) Lok Sabha constituency as per the figures available by 7 pm on Thursday was 73.70 per cent.

Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading.