WB Assembly Election 2026: Burisole villagers threaten poll boycott over basic amenities

As assembly elections draw closer in West Bengal, discontent is brewing in Burisole village of Paschim Medinipur, with residents warning they may boycott voting if long-pending development issues are not addressed.

Burisole lies in the forested Jangalmahal region and is home largely to the Lodha Shabar community, a Scheduled Tribe. Villagers allege that despite repeated assurances, basic amenities remain elusive. Several households say they have been excluded from government housing schemes, while promised electricity connections were never provided.

Residents also complain of irregular water supply, poor road connectivity, and the non-receipt of welfare benefits meant for women, senior citizens, and widows. “Some families received small cash transfers or job cards, but a permanent house is still a distant dream,” said a local resident, reflecting the mixed experiences within the village.

Years of unmet promises have fuelled frustration, prompting some villagers to reconsider their participation in the electoral process. “If our problems are not taken seriously, what is the point of voting?” another resident asked.

Officials, however, maintain that multiple initiatives have been launched for Burisole’s development and insist that welfare schemes are being implemented in phases.

With campaigning set to intensify ahead of the elections, the Lodha Shabar community in Burisole hopes political parties will finally address their concerns — warning that continued neglect could translate into electoral disengagement.