Mumbai: As the Bihar election enters its final lap, lakhs of migrant Biharis in Mumbai say they wish they could go back and vote. However, many of them simply cannot afford to go home more than once a year.
46-year-old Uday Kumar, who works as labourer at a construction site in Mumbai, says "I want to go back and vote but my job is contract based so I am bound to stay here. Nitish Kumar has done a lot in Bihar if given a chance he will do more."
For lakhs of Biharis working in Mumbai, extreme poverty, lack of jobs, development and infrastructure in their home state means that they have to be here even if it means sacrificing their vote in this election.
But it's not just people like Uday Kumar. Middle class Biharis say they too have to make a choice between work and going to vote. 23-year-old Sweety Sinha, an upcoming model says she has to stay in Mumbai because of her profession. She will sacrifice her vote and work through the elections as she is fed up of un-kept promises by successive governments.
"Voting is important but whom do we vote for? Every year we are voting for someone but has anything changed in Bihar? Just take a look at the condition of roads there. Even when we return after 10-15 years the situation is the same in Bihar," Ms Sinha tells NDTV.
It's the same for 27-year-old Vijay Suman, a fashion photographer, who wants to see change in Bihar so that there are career opportunities for people like him. Born in Sitamarhi, he left home many years ago to chase his dreams in the maximum city.
"If Modi works in Bihar like he has worked in Gujarat then we would like to see people vote for Modi," he tells NDTV.
Whether it's ordinary Biharis or Bollywood stars, everyone hopes the state will change for the better once a new government is voted in. Actor Shekhar Suman says, "I really hope whoever is voted in makes a difference to the life of ordinary Biharis." Actor Manoj Bajpai says, "Whoever it is they have now focus on getting Bihar back on track."
46-year-old Uday Kumar, who works as labourer at a construction site in Mumbai, says "I want to go back and vote but my job is contract based so I am bound to stay here. Nitish Kumar has done a lot in Bihar if given a chance he will do more."
For lakhs of Biharis working in Mumbai, extreme poverty, lack of jobs, development and infrastructure in their home state means that they have to be here even if it means sacrificing their vote in this election.
"Voting is important but whom do we vote for? Every year we are voting for someone but has anything changed in Bihar? Just take a look at the condition of roads there. Even when we return after 10-15 years the situation is the same in Bihar," Ms Sinha tells NDTV.
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"If Modi works in Bihar like he has worked in Gujarat then we would like to see people vote for Modi," he tells NDTV.
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