JODHEYPUR (RAMABAI NAGAR): All those who had hurled shoes or slippers at political leaders had one thing in common, they had missed the target. But the residents of Jodheypur village in Ramabai Nagar district do not want to miss the 'target'. For that, they are attending '

' practice sessions.

"It's a word of caution for all politicians and candidates visiting the village. They should not come here and if they want, then they come at their own risk. It's a mark of protest to boycott corrupt politicians and not elections," says Rajman, a villager Jodheypur, which lies in newly constituted Bhognipur Assembly constituency in Ramabainagar.

The villagers have hung an effigy of a politician on a 'neem' tree with a slogan 'Netaji, road nahi to vote nahi'. They take position at a certain distance and hurl shoes at the effigy.

The villagers said they had been promised of better roads besides other basic needs like electricity, drinking water facility. "These politicians have been befooling our forefathers. Even after 65 years of Independence, our village is still without power, proper drinking water facilities and roads what to say about schools or agriculture sustainability. This time, we have decided to teach them a lesson," said Nanhke.

"They are an annoyed lot and angry over failed promises. About 900 voters of small hamlets of Durauli, Saheli and Jhabaiyya in Jodheypur, under Akbarpur tehsil, have decided to boycott the politicians for the forthcoming Assembly election," Jodheypur village pradhan Kake said. "Whoever comes here for vote will be treated like this. I believe undeserving politicians need this to make it clear that even if you make laws, you are not above the law and if you don't abide by the law, then you have to abide by our sentiments," Kake added.

Earlier, the village was a part of Sarwankheda Assembly seat, where

's Ram Swaroop Singh was a winner in 2007 Assembly elections. Now, it comes under the newly constituted Bhognipur Aassembly constituency from where BSP's Dharampal Bhadauria,

party's Neetam Sachan,

's Rajesh Sachan and Samajwadi Party's Yogendra Pal are in the fray.

Villagers held a meeting and decided to attend shoe throwing practice sessions. "We will definitely cast our vote but not to corrupt politicians. There are no roads here despite Ram Swaroop Singh holding a responsible position in the state cabinet during Samajwadi Party regime. "The elected representatives have never cared to solve our grievances," fumed Chedi Lal Kamal. "If the villagers have opted such means to greet the politicians, I think there's nothing wrong in it," he added.

A villager Lala Ram claimed that anti-politician campaign was started by him in the series of meetings. He suggested to restrict the movement of politicians in the village.

Jodheypur has a population of about 1,500 to 1,600. Most of the villagers are farmers or labourers.

Manoj Yadav said: "Almost all the handpumps in the village are not in working condition. We have to bring water after travelling 5 to 10 kms on bicycles or bullock carts or we have to walk." Uma, another villager, said that she had been asked to spend Rs 500 for buying spare parts and Rs 200 for repairing a handpump situated in front of her house. "This is not possible. We are poor people and can't afford Rs 700 to get the handpump repaired. Our village is deprived of medical facilities and we have to travel 20-30 kms to reach PHCs or CHCs," she added.

"None of the elected representatives revisit our village once the elections are over. Every time our demands remain unfulfilled. Now, we are ready to fight for our rights," said Laccho Devi.