Qayoom Khan
PULWAMA:- An octogenarian blind woman, who was unable to walk without support, cast her vote ‘for the unemployment of her son’ in Rajpora village of Pulwama district.
Eighty five year old Rahti was taken to the polling station by her two neighbours and daughter. Apart from her blindness, she is suffering from diabetes and respiratory disease. She can’t stand without someone’s support and even can’t talk properly. But, what drew her to polling station?
“My son is unemployed. He is sitting idle at home. I want him to earn his livelihood. He has three children. That is why I am voting. I hope the candidate for whom I voted,” she told GNS.
Rahti said she has also voted in previous elections but ‘of no avail’.
The twin polling stations at Rajpora witnessed brisk polling till 10:30 am in the morning. Out of 1730 votes, 484 votes were polled with people coming in good numbers to vote including females.
Rajpora is the ancestral village of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former banker, Dr Haseeb Drabu. He is contesting from the Rajpora Assembly segment.
Even though she was blind, but said she wants electricity as well.
For Rahti, it was not easy to reach polling station. She had to take thirty nine steep steps to the polling both. But, she repeats, she wants employment for her son and prays for the victory of the candidate for whom she voted.