‘People don’t realise the power of vote’

NOIDA: When methodical Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui interacted with people in four Indian states for his new role of a TV reporter in a news channel, he was shocked to see that many don’t realise the power of vote and discovered why “development” is just another word in politicians’ dictionary.

The Gangs of Wasseypur actor travelled to Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi and Jaipur where he interacted with the locals-- from rickshaw pullers to paanwaalas, from students to shopkeepers - and got a feel of their outlook on the general elections and governance.

“It was sad to see that there are many people who have no idea why their vote is important. Some are voting because someone has suggested that they should vote for a particular party, and there are many who vote for those candidates who pay them to

OUR POLITICIANS WILL TALK OF DEVELOPMENT BUT HOW MANY OF THEM ACTUALLY DO IT? A RICKSHAW PULLER WILL ALWAYS BE A RICKSHAW PULLER; HIS DESTINY WILL NEVER CHANGE

NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI, actor

vote,” Siddiqui said in an interview.

“I have personally felt that the government doesn’t want people to get educated because that will give power to people and they don’t want that,” he said adding, “politicians speak in the universal language of not giving straight and honest answers. They have answers but they will give you roundabout answers.”

Admitting he doesn’t have much interest in politics and hasn’t any favourite political party, Siddiqui said through the show he was able to observe that Indian politicians use the “blame game” strategy and shy away from doing serious work. “Our politicians will talk of development but how many of them actually do it? A rickshaw puller will always be a rickshaw puller; his destiny will never change,” he pointed out.