Travelling long to get inked in the Assembly Elections

Over the last two to three weeks, migrant workers in Chennai have been etching travel plans to vote in their hometowns. Associations representing them are seeking additional trains to ensure their long journey to the voting booth is smooth

When election dates were announced on March 15, Kottivakkam resident and general secretary of Confederation of Tamilnadu Malayalee Associations Anwar M.P. was furiously scrolling down IRCTC website to book four train tickets to his hometown in Kannur district of Kerala. A resident of Chennai for the last three decades, the businessman makes travel plans to his native place every election season (that includes panchayat elections) sufficiently ahead of time.

Kerala goes to the hustings on April 9, as do Assam and Puducherry. Further down the “poll procession” are Tamil Nadu (April 23) and West Bengal (April 23 and 29).

Travel plans are being meticulously etched by residents of Chennai with their votes parked in other states. And associations representing the interests of those from these states who have “pitched tent” in Chennai for work and business note that with intervention by the Tamil Nadu government and Southern Railway, these travel plans need not be as stressful as they currently are.

The Confederation of Tamilnadu Malayalee Associations has made a representation to the State Government to run additional trains to clear the rush of migrants wanting to vote in their hometowns. “This year, we made the representation more than two months ago so that there is ample time to press more trains into service,” says Anwar.

While Southern Railway does operate special trains during festivals and election season, many say the announcement on additional trains is made at the eleventh hour, which detracts from the usefulness of this exercise.

As Easter, Assembly Polls and Vishu come in quick succession, Anwar says there’s demand for bus and train tickets to Kerala.