Lok Sabha Election: Madurai Voters To Boycott Polls Over To Demand Removal Of Kappalur Toll Plaza

The protest is set to be conducted by Tirumangalam Municipality residents, Traders Association members and motorists against the Kappalur Toll Plaza.

In Madurai, Tamil Nadu, a collective decision to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections has been made by residents of Tirumangalam Municipality, members of the Traders Association and motorists in protest against the Kappalur Toll Plaza. They allege that the Toll Plaza has been set up in violation of regulations.

Ragunandan Raja, president of Kappalur Business Owners Association said, "For 14 years, the employees of the Kappalur factory and the public have been demanding the removal of this toll booth. This toll booth is set up in violation of regulations."

"There are various industries near Kappalur but through this toll, various industries are moved to other districts. We have made various demands to the authorities to remove this toll booth but they have not been fulfilled so we have decided to boycott the elections this time," he said. 

 

Jayaram, a local, said that the people of Tirumangalam have been conducting various protests for the past 14 years demanding the removal of the Kappalur toll plaza.

He said, "The Kappalur toll plaza is illegal. The toll plaza should be five kilometres away from the municipal area but it is two kilometres inside. We met various political leaders and demanded the removal of the toll plaza but no action was taken. So we have decided to boycott the election this time."

The villagers made the decision even before Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for Lok Sabha Elections 2024.