‘Mafia groups hijacking poll agenda’

Kozhikode: The Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi has said that mafia groups with vested interests are hijacking the election agendas of major political fronts contesting in the hill constituency.WPSS said in a statement that it is no coincidence that the critical issues faced by farmers who are the backbone of the agrarian economy, the plight of indigenous people, the land problems of landless workers, and the revival of Wayanad's shattered environment are not even remotely considered by any candidate.The Samithi said that all such vested interests are setting the electoral agenda and the political managers who are controlling all the political parties are acting as middlemen in this. WPSS president N Badusha said that the human-wildlife conflict, which is a significant concern in Wayanad,is only addressed superficially.Badusha said that during this election as well, the night traffic ban through the forest stretch of Bandipur Tiger Reserve which has been continuing for last 15 years along with proposals for alternative roads and a host of other impractical projects are being raked up in the campaign din to mislead the public."Discussions about regulating unrestrained tourism, which is severely affecting Wayanad's social structure and environment, are being avoided by everyone with some even acting as brand ambassadors for it," Badusha said.WPSS said that political fronts and candidates are getting caught up in the organized campaigns of groups exploiting Wayanad's natural resources and it marks a decline of democracy.
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