AP Polls: Voters across India eager to return home for voting; parties offer reimbursements, buses

Amaravati: For many youngsters, especially working professionals from Andhra Pradesh residing in other states, voting holds immense significance and pride, even prompting them to journey home regardless of their current location and situation. With the upcoming mega elections (Assembly and Lok Sabha) on May 13, this weekend marked a highly anticipated time for them with the future of Andhra Pradesh at the voters' fingertips.

In the era of undivided Andhra Pradesh, under TDP’s Nara Chandrababu Naidu-led government, Hyderabad emerged as a hub for tech professionals after the establishment of numerous IT companies. However, following the state’s bifurcation in 2014, Naidu assumed the role of chief minister of the residual state, eventually ceding power to the chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress government in 2019.

Consequently, many techies who had settled in Hyderabad used to return to Andhra Pradesh only during festivals. Yet, with elections now akin to major festivals, they’re again drawn home to exercise their voting rights.

When NewsMeter spoke to some of the youth and techies heading to Andhra Pradesh from Hyderabad, Bengaluru and the US, we heard exciting stories about why they find it important to come home for the sole purpose of voting.

Chai and voting can’t be missed

One such individual, Raghav from Visakhapatnam, emphasised the importance of voting for the development of the state and expressed eagerness about the election outcome.

For Murali, who is working in Bengaluru, he is taking his day off on polling day and coming to Andhra Pradesh. “I have my vote in Railway Koduru. I don’t have leave on the polling day so I took my day off. For me, casting a vote is like your cup of tea which you don’t miss in the morning,” said Murali.

Political parties reimbursing for travel

An intriguing development in this election cycle is the reimbursement of travel expenses by political parties such as TDP, Jana Sena Party, BJP, YSRCP, and Congress. These parties are actively gathering data on tech professionals residing in other states and eligible to vote in Andhra Pradesh.

“We are told that the party cadres will reimburse if the reservation is already done. If not, they will provide us with a sheet where we have to fill in the details to get a bus seat. Both TDP and YSRCP are offering the same this election,” said a voter from Andhra Pradesh.

Another voter, currently working in Hyderabad, said, “Local party cadres in my constituency have been visiting houses who would definitely vote for their party and offered travel reimbursement for those staying in other states. I was told they would reimburse my ticket after casting my vote.”

Special buses arranged

Moreover, party candidates are organising special buses from Bengaluru to various constituencies to mobilise youth voters efficiently.

According to Sunil, a voter from Andhra Pradesh, party candidates have planned special buses from Bengaluru to their constituencies. “A common pick-up point is being chosen, and buses will start from there. It is based on the area/constituency route the parties are using to collect the data.”

The best chance to choose your leader

For some, like Deep Krishna, an entrepreneur from Bengaluru, voting represents more than just a civic duty—it’s an opportunity to enact change and support their preferred leaders. “This is the only time you can show revenge and take a chance to vote for your favourite leader,” said Deep Krishna. Even his wife Haswani Reddy is travelling to Mumbai to cast her vote.

Deep Krishna also highlighted the growing disconnection among youth from political affairs and advocated for measures to encourage greater participation, such as tying voting rights to identity cards.

NRIs motivate youth by promising jobs

Over 2,000 NRIs of Telugu origin have campaigned for TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. From 120 countries, enthusiasts have decided to participate directly and indirectly in large numbers to support Naidu.

Besides campaigning, they pledged to create one lakh international jobs for the state’s youth if the opposition party, an NDA constituent, is returned to power in the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh.