Voters from three assembly seats unhappy with attention to Jalna

AURANGABAD: Residents from parts of Aurangabad district, who have to vote in Jalna Lok Sabha constituency, feel that they are neglected after the polls as the development work and funds flow to the adjoining district.
Three assembly constituencies from Aurangabad district — Sillod, Paithan and Phulambri — have over 9.22 lakh registered voters. While BJP state president Raosaheb Danve represents the Jalna Lok Sabha constituency, Sillod and Paithan assembly constituencies are represented by the Congress and Shiv Sena, respectively.
Voters of Paithan said they were especially unhappy as their demand a railway line connecting to pilgrim towns of Tuljapur in Osmanabad district and Pandharpur from Solapur district has not been met with.
“The demand for a new line has been pending for years now. Lakhs of devotees visit Paithan every year and they could benefit from the rail connectivity. We were hoping that our MP would have pushed for the new rail line,” said Satish Wagheshwari, a resident of Paithan.
Social activist Jayaji Suryawanshi said the draw-up of the LS constituency has worked at a disadvantage to the three assembly constituencies, especially Paithan.
“Different development works, including improving train connectivity and pushing the pending irrigation projects, have been hampered in Paithan. Jalna BJP MP Raosaheb Danve has rarely visited Paithan area in last four and half years,” he said.
Pratiksha Nagre, a voter from Phulambri, said many villages and hamlets in the Phulambri taluka do not have proper roads. “We were hoping that road work would be sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana but to no luck. The apathy may be due to attention to the Jalna district,” she said.
Echoing similar views, a section of voters from Sillod said they find themselves less excited when it comes to the Lok Sabha polls. “It feels a bit strange to live in Aurangabad district and vote for Jalna constituency. I feel a sense of alienation while relating myself with Jalna Lok Sabha seat. Nevertheless, I always exercise my right to vote,” said Ashok Pagare, a farmer from Sillod.
Jalna MP Raosaheb Danve could not be reached for his comments. BJP spokesperson Shirish Boralkar said Jalna MP gave equal attention to all the six assembly segments in his constituency. “While some public demands get attention, a few demands remain pending,” he added