No Water, No Vote
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olitical parties are indifferent to water and climate change related issues. Leaders indulge in tall promises of development without knowing that water is key to sustainable development. The recent decision of about 900 villagers of Dhingiamunda in Nuapada district of Odisha to refrain from voting in the coming Lok Sabha and assembly polls if drinking water did not reach their village by 21 March deserves kudos. The government apathy to people’s woeful plight is a common characteristic.
The so-called Aam Adami Party (AAP), which claims itself as the most Democratic Party, seldom pays heed to the voice of the people and civil society on water and environment issues. India Water Foundation sent some suggestions on water-environment nexus to AAP, which evoked no response. The time is ripe now for the people to use vote as a weapon to get their grievances redressed. Concurrently, it is writing on the wall for the political parties.
