Retired Sub-Inspector Shares Her Views on the Upcoming Elections in Bhopal
Retired Sub-Inspector’s Perspective on the Political Landscape in Bhopal
Bibimai Dutta, a 70-year-old retired sub-inspector of police from Bhopal, shares her perspective on the upcoming elections. Originally from Assam’s Majuli island, Dutta has been residing in the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Township since 1964.
Dutta, who retired from the Madhya Pradesh Police, has been living alone since her husband passed away in 2017. She has a family comprising one brother, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.
Having voted in both the 2014 and 2019 elections, Dutta believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on his promise of ‘acche din’ (good days). “My most ‘accha din’ since 2014 was when the Ram Mandir was built in Ayodhya. I want the Mathura temple to be expanded also,” she said.
However, she also pointed out that not all promises have been fulfilled. “What is there on paper is often not fulfilled. An 80-year old friend has been running from pillar to post to get her unwell daughter enrolled under Ayushman Bharat,” Dutta added.
According to Dutta, the single biggest change since 2014 has been a decrease in social harmony, care for neighbours, and congeniality. She expressed her concern over the increasing retirement age of government employees. “There are educated youngsters struggling to get permanent jobs. Implement VRS for non-performing government staff and give jobs to the deserving ones,” she suggested.
Dutta hopes that the new government will focus on merit-based recruitment and promotions in government jobs. “I was not promoted for 28 years, yet many officers from reserved categories — whom I trained — superseded me,” she shared.
She also expressed her displeasure over the political discourse in the country. “BJP & Congress should not defame each other. I turn off the news when the debates start, politics irritates me now, and the actions of politicians anger me. Parties must work together for people after elections,” she said.
As Bhopal prepares to vote on May 7, Dutta’s views reflect the aspirations and concerns of many voters in the constituency.
