New Delhi:
Political movements have intensified in view of Delhi assembly elections. In the voting to be held on 5 February, there will be a tough fight between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. All major political parties are throwing full strength to attract the people with their promises. Especially in East Delhi, the question is important that which party has more influence and where the voters are inclined. To know the answer to this question, Lokjanta’s team reached ground zero.
Have been contesting elections on the basis of work: ‘AAP’
This election is very important for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party has claimed to perform better than before. AAP spokesperson Athar Zaidi says that this time the Aam Aadmi Party competes with itself. Last time the party won 62 seats. But this time more seats are expected from this. Zaidi said that in the last 10 years, the promises made by Arvind Kejriwal to the people of Delhi were fulfilled. Schemes like 200 units free electricity, free water and free travel facilities for women were successfully implemented. In 2020, Kejriwal had said in a press conference that if he has worked, then Delhiites should vote for them. He has always been contesting elections on the basis of his work. The Aam Aadmi Party believes that the public’s trust is on their work and this election is also being fought on the basis of their achievements.
‘False allegations against Aam Aadmi Party leader’
Attacking the BJP, Ayahar Zaidi said that BJP leaders are abusing the leaders of his party. He appreciated the works of Asamullah Khan, whose efforts laid the Mohalla clinic and water lines in Okhla. He also said that the population of Delhi has doubled in the last 10 years and the work done by the Aam Aadmi Party for the development of Delhi is on record. Zaidi also alleged that the BJP only does politics of opposition and tries to harass them by making false accusations on the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party. He said that now the time has come when the people of Delhi have entrusted the responsibility of MCD to the Aam Aadmi Party and the party is doing this work in a good way.
‘AAP’ did not fulfill promises in Punjab: BJP
At the same time, the BJP spokesperson strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party. He says that Arvind Kejriwal is the biggest false leader. He has lied to Delhiites in the last 11 years. The BJP spokesperson said that Kejriwal had promised to give Rs 3100 to women, but this promise was not fulfilled in Punjab. He also alleged that Kejriwal had shown the dream of making Delhi Paris. But now the condition of Delhi’s roads is bad. The condition of the roads of Batla House, Shaheen Bagh, and Jamia is also worrisome. The BJP spokesperson also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party does politics on religious grounds, but could not make way for mosques.
The BJP spokesperson also said that the MLAs of Okhla assembly constituency have been in jail for the last 5 years. His question is how a leader who is in jail himself can eliminate dirt. He also took a dig at the Congress and said that the Congress is struggling for its existence in Delhi. He alleged that the Congress has no role.
AAP always accuses the Center and Congress: Congress
Congress spokesperson Jeba Khan clarified the position of the Congress party and said that the people of Delhi are remembering the works of Sheila Dixit. The Congress says that the party is fighting this election firmly and there is a positive feeling among the people about the plans of the Congress. He also said that the work done by the Congress is not being maintained properly and the people of Delhi are upset with the Aam Aadmi Party. The Congress alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party could not fulfill the promises made by them, especially in Punjab. The Congress spokesperson also said that the Aam Aadmi Party always accuses the Center and the Congress. But it is not able to implement its own functions properly. He raised the issue of cleanliness and basic facilities in Delhi and said that this situation has become very bad.
AIMIM spokesperson Mohammad questioned the education system of Okhla assembly constituency. He said that the condition of the schools here is very bad and there is a need to improve the level of education in the area.
Senior journalist Ram Kripal said that after a long time he came to Okhla from Defense Colony and he saw the three major promises that Kejriwal had mentioned. None of them could be completed. The first promise was to clean the Yamuna river, but that work is still incomplete. The second promise was to make Delhi’s roads like Paris, but the condition of the roads is bad. The third promise was to provide clean water to the people, but this promise was also not fulfilled. Ram Kripal also said that when Kejriwal’s own home can be made. So why was it not worked for the people of Delhi. He said that he had seen Anna Hazare’s movement closely in 2012-13 and the expectations at that time have not been fulfilled till now.
A local resident of Okhla said that the leaders talking about development here should visit Okhla. He said that the condition of the roads here is very bad and piles of garbage are installed everywhere. People here are struggling with lack of water. The condition is deteriorating day by day. He was also saying that both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are cheating the public. For 15 years, the Congress ruled in Delhi and has been in the Aam Aadmi Party government for 10 years, but still people are bereft of basic facilities.
This electoral atmosphere shows that there is a tough fight between the Aam Aadmi Party, BJP and Congress in Delhi. Every party is promising development on its behalf, but the public is also facing the truth of the fulfillment of those promises.