With election around the corner, aspirants visit wards in Madikeri

With the government announcing reservation for all 23 wards of CMC, people are expecting the announcement of election to the council of CMC shortly.

The aspirants who will contest the election are now enthusiastic and actively moving around. They have started visiting areas in the wards.

Former CMC members along with aspirants have started turning towards CMC. Youth who wish to contest elections are seen discussing politics at various places.

Several youth are eager to contest from BJP, Congress, JD(S) and SDPI tickets. The CMC had no elected representatives in the council for the last two years. None of the officials except CMC Commissioner Ramdas were visiting various wards, alleged residents.

Plenty of problems

Madikeri town is surrounded by hills. However, problems are plenty in this hill town.

All the garbage collected is dumped on the top of Stonehill. In spite of the demand to shift the solid waste management unit to alternative land, the CMC could not take any steps on the same.

As a result, the menace of houseflies is on the rise in the nearby areas and FMKMC College Principal had even complained about the same.

The long-pending demand for a scientific parking area in Madikeri has not been realised so far.

The previous council could not provide alternative housing facilities for those residing in landslide-prone areas. The residents are hoping that the new council will solve all the problems faced by the residents in Madikeri.

Ticket aspirants

DCC president K K Manjunath Kumar has urged all the aspirants who wish to contest from Congress ticket to apply on March 29.

In a meeting of the Congress office-bearers and workers, he said the reservation list has been announced. All those who wish to contest should apply for the ticket by submitting applications to the DCC office.

“We have to work towards winning a minimum of 17 seats by working in coordination,” he said.

Election boycott

Condemning the negligence of CMC in repairing the roads in Dechoor ward, the residents have decided to boycott the election, said Rajya Mahithi Hakku Mathu Samajika Karyakarthara Vedike Madikeri Taluk secretary Umesh Gowda P.

Speaking after submitting a memorandum to the CMC commissioner, along with the residents, he said, “The roads in all the wards have been repaired and asphalted except that of Dechoor. The pothole-ridden road is inconveniencing the motorists. Even the autorickshaws fail to travel to the ward in case of emergency. The commissioner, during his visit to the ward, had promised to asphalt the road. No action has been initiated so far.”

The work on asphalting the road should be taken up immediately, he demanded.

“We will stage a roadblock if the road work is not taken up within seven days,” he warned.