Representatives of civil society groups in Hyderabad are feeling frustrated as they had hoped for a strong contender from the INDIA bloc to bring about change in the constituency. The contest between the AIMIM and BJP candidates has been surrounded by controversies, disappointing those who were looking for a focus on development issues.
Some activists are urging an increase in the voting percentage in Hyderabad, which was less than 45% in 2019. They are advocating for voters to use the NOTA option if they are unhappy with all the candidates, rather than abstaining from voting altogether.
On social media, there is a growing campaign in support of NOTA, with many pointing out that major political parties are not discussing development issues. Activists believe that rejecting communal politics and voting for NOTA is a way to show disapproval of the current situation in Hyderabad.
Activists who had hoped for a strong contender from the Congress or the INDIA bloc are disappointed by the current political scenario in Hyderabad. With both the BJP and AIMIM trying to polarize votes, some activists feel that no candidate is fit to represent the constituency, leading them to support NOTA.
Sayed Safder Ali Moosvi from the Forum for Old City Youth is among those backing NOTA, citing a lack of viable options for voters in Hyderabad. He believes that exercising the right to vote, even through NOTA, is important for expressing dissent and participating in the electoral process.
Safder, a social media influencer, expresses disappointment that elections in Hyderabad are being fought on communal issues rather than development. He had hoped for a different approach this time, emphasizing that polarization will not benefit anyone in the long run.
