West Bengal elections: Malda village voters demand clean water, not promises

Malda: In Hariagarh, villagers say each morning begins with the same struggle: foul-smelling, discoloured water flowing from their taps. As West Bengal heads into a high-stakes assembly election, residents argue that their most urgent demand is not political promises but clean, reliable drinking water.

Villagers complain of arsenic-laced, irregular water supply

Locals allege that water piped from the village tank arrives sporadically and, when it does, is undrinkable. Many fear the presence of arsenic, a toxic metalloid long linked to groundwater contamination in parts of the region. Even the deep-tube handpump, typically a fallback for rural households, yields yellowish water with an overpowering stench, residents say.

With no safe source available, households have resorted to buying drinking water from private vendors. Multiple complaints to officials, villagers claim, have gone unanswered.

Daily hardship shapes electoral mood

Far removed from the development debates dominating urban campaign speeches, Hariagarh residents say their expectation this election season is basic: access to clean, safe water. They will vote on April 23 in the first phase of the state’s two-stage assembly polls.

Polling for the 294-seat assembly will be held on April 23 and April 29, with votes counted on May 4. The contest is expected to be a fierce one between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which have been battling for influence across the state.

Key dates announced by Election Commission

According to the Election Commission of India, nominations for the first phase close on April 6, with scrutiny set for April 7 and withdrawals allowed until April 9. For the second phase, covering 142 constituencies, the notification will be issued on April 2. Candidates must file nominations by April 9, with scrutiny on April 10 and withdrawals permitted until April 13.

In the 2021 assembly elections, held across eight phases, the Trinamool Congress secured a sweeping victory with 213 seats, while the BJP rose to 77. The Congress and Left Front failed to win any seats. (PTI)