Muzzaffarpur:
A bamboo bridge in Muzzaffarpur, Bihar, has this strict warning sign: "Politicians, Government Officials Not Allowed".
That's payback from villagers in the Aurai constituency. For years, they've been asking their leaders to build them a bridge over the Mansumara river. No response. So this summer, the village pooled in money for a bamboo bridge. Prem Kumar, who contributed to the fund, says, "Why should we allow any politician or officer to use it?"
It's not an empty threat. This part of Bihar is in the middle of by-elections. No politician, who's campaigning has been allowed to use the bridge. And they're not likely to make much headway -- villagers say they're boycotting the election.
The administration's terse response: "We have heard about this. Let the by polls get over, I will get this investigated," says Vipin Kumar, District Magistrate.
So for Bihar's politicians, this is a case of a bridge too far.
That's payback from villagers in the Aurai constituency. For years, they've been asking their leaders to build them a bridge over the Mansumara river. No response. So this summer, the village pooled in money for a bamboo bridge. Prem Kumar, who contributed to the fund, says, "Why should we allow any politician or officer to use it?"
It's not an empty threat. This part of Bihar is in the middle of by-elections. No politician, who's campaigning has been allowed to use the bridge. And they're not likely to make much headway -- villagers say they're boycotting the election.
The administration's terse response: "We have heard about this. Let the by polls get over, I will get this investigated," says Vipin Kumar, District Magistrate.
So for Bihar's politicians, this is a case of a bridge too far.
