Senior citizens at Worli old-age home did not get to vote, as EC doesn't consider the home their permanent address
Senior citizens at Worli old-age home did not get to vote, as EC doesn't consider the home their permanent address
They belong to some of the most illustrious political families in India, tracing their lineage back to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Indira Gandhi. However, residents of a Worli old-age home did not get the chance to exercise their fundamental right yesterday, as electoral bosses do not consider the home their permanent address. Among them is Nargis Gandhi, a distant relative of Feroze Gandhi. "It is unfortunate that at a time when every vote is precious, we can't exercise our right, she said."
'We're being deprived of our legal rights'
Nargis works as a secretary for a reputed cardiologist in Peddar Road. Her mother was a cousin of Feroze Gandhi. She even attended the marriage of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi.
The Lotus Home for elderlyu00a0 women in Worli run byu00a0the Maharashtra State Women Council,u00a0has become an alternate home for 16 senior citizens (between 65 to 85 years) since it opened three years ago.
Nirmalaben Patel (80) is the distant relative of Sardar Patel and has been staying there for the past nine months. She has trouble hearing and walking, but was still keen to cast her vote.
Manu Vahanvati (80), a widow, shifted to Lotus a year and a half ago, after handing over the rights of her bungalow in Kemps Corner to her relatives.
"Lotus is our permanent address now and even after informing the electoral authorities about it, we all are deprived of our legal rights," she rued.
Malini Zaveri (79), a former All India Radio artiste and law graduate who practised with Ram Jethmalani, recently sold her apartment in Grant Road and shifted to Lotus. She had never missed a chance to cast her vote. Until now. Her daughter, Namita (40), said, "Mom was keen to vote but could not."
The superintendent of the home, Maya Chhetri, had tried to persuade the local electoral officials to get the residents registered at the Worli constituency, but nothing worked out.
State Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Chakrabor-ty said, "A proper inspection and verification is needed in such cases and only then can a decision be taken. The old-age home authorities should take up the issue with the district collector."
When we spoke to Idzes Kundan, collector (South Mumbai), he said, "I was never informed about such an issue. If the old age home officials approach me, I will surely look into the matter and if they (senior citizens) are eligible, everything possible will be done to ensure that they vote in the Assembly elections."
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