Candidates tap into young voters’ expectations

YOUNG VOTERS COULD PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE UPCOMING MULTI-CORNERED POLLS, SAID POLITICAL OBSERVERS

MUMBAI: Mumbadevi resident Subhash Doshi, 32, is one of the many young voters who responded to the South Mumbai MLA Amin Patel’s appeal for suggestions and feedback for his manifesto.

Patel had posted a blank manifesto on his website to collect suggestions on what voters want from the new government.

Doshi, an information technology professional, posted his expectations on the online form uploaded by the sitting legislator.

According to Patel, more than 70% respondents were aged below 36 years.

“My constituency’s manifesto is drawn by young voters,” said Patel.

Mumbadevi, a busy business hub, has seen many terror attacks in the past two decades.

While South Mumbai issues such as redevelopment of old dilapidated buildings were already on Patel’s rough draft, the locals added freedom from traffic snarls and better security cover to the manifesto.

Young voters of the neighbouring Worli constituency, too, have given their wish list.

Sitting legislator Sachin Ahir said nearly three-fourth of the respondents to an online citizens’ charter drawn by a local non-governmental organisation were aged between 35 and 40.

“Young voters want better infrastructure, no traffic snarls and comfortable commute. We have included the demands in our manifesto which also includes new flyovers, monorail and a metro link connecting Worli,” said Ahir.

Young voters could play a crucial role in the upcoming multi-cor nered polls, said political observers

“Voters under 30 years roughly constitute about one-fifth of the total number. Therefore, their voic es are most crucial,” said a senior political party worker, requesting anonymity. He added that there was seldom any change in the voting pattern of older voters.

Maharashtra Navinirman Sena (MNS) candidate from Byculla Sanjay Naik, who lost in 2009 polls has sent personal letters to the first and second-time voters in his con stituency to connect with them.

He said there are around 28,000 such voters in Byculla. “This age group is extremely focused on what they want,” said Naik.