From affluent posh colonies, traders’ villas to low line clusters, voters of the New Delhi constituency cast their votes keeping grievances not the contender in their mind. The polling day learnt traders' choice for Member of Parliament (MP) and multiplicity of issues pertaining to sealing, education, pathetic conditions of roads in villages, air pollution, Non — Functional Upgradation (NFU), anomalies in pay commission and zeal to send a strong face in the Parliament.
It was more like a fight between traders. For instance — traders in Lajpat Nagar cast their votes to counter small traders in Amar Colony which is nearby.
In Lajpat Nagar-I, II and III, voters said, "Lekhi Kabhi Nahi Dekhi, Lekin Modi Dekha, said a business man. "On the name of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), we know Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and our unconditional support will go to PM Modi, the traders who are criticising Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA's) actions are the culprit and why they constructed illegal shops," asked Usha Narang, a resident of Lajpat Nagar I.
Interestingly, it was the first time when traders openly supported parties and spoke up openly about their choices. Residents of Amar Colony made their support to the Congress known. They are the people who bore the maximum brunt of ongoing sealing drive on the orders of the Supreme Court empowered committee.
However, unlike, other traders in Lajpat Nagar, the traders of Amar Colony said, "Rahul nahin, Makan hi Dekha." Lauding the work done by former Union Minister Ajay Makan, who is also Lok Sabha candidate for the constituency against BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi, JMK Ratna at polling booth 62 said, "Only Congress can fight for the right of the traders."
Ratan, who came to cast his vote with family said, "We are facing tough time, no hike in salaries, shops have been sealed, moreover fees have been hiked in private schools, what to earn and save? It is the question of our survival. We have hopes from Makan only," said Ratan.
However, there were areas where voters preference was in asharp contrast to the people in Amar Colony. In many areas voters cast their votes keeping national interest in their mind. Voters residing in South Extension, East of Kaislah, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash shared their opinion without hinting the choice of candidate.
Sushant K Singh, a government employee, said that ongoing general election will clear political understanding of masses. "Ye janta hai or sab Jantai hai, said Singh and mentioned issues of evolution of slums in posh colonies."
Remarkably, when air pollution in Delhi is burning issue in every winter, voters said they need government who can frame polices to address climate issues. "It is sad, our coming generations will take their first breath in air purifier installed cabin, what we are giving to our children when we are failed to save their very first fundamental right - the right to breath," said Adiyta Singh.
"It is time to take a call because politicians are not serious on air pollution issue," said Singh while coming back from polling booth in Defence colony.
"It should be known to all how Great Britain has declared 'Climate Change emergency' and we are fighting with each other on petty political issues, where is fresh air?" Singh questioned.
Amid hue and cry, there were voters who participated in the dance of democracy with happy spirit. "We are happy to be the part of democratic practice. Voting is our right. We claim our grievances if only we vote," said Sheela Kapur who came to cast her vote along with husband Vijay Kapur in South Extension part - I
When questioned about grievances - the couple smile and replied: No grievances. "Be it water, electricity, employment or law and order.. in our area , we do not face any hardships."
On the contrary, a village - Kotla Mubarkpur, in the vicinity of South Extension part - II, faced congestion , water logging , shortage in water and power supply.
Sarita , a Maharashrian by birth and residing in Kotla Mubarakpur said, "As a voter, our support is unconditional for PM Modi , however, no political leader ever visited in our area. During monsoon, the condition of streets are pitiable and we are forced to think whether we should allow or children to go to school or not," said Sarita who is housewife.
Surprisingly, on the name of candidates, Kotla people know about PM Modi and Indian National Congress (INC's ) President Rahul Gandhi. When asked to name the candidates of New Delhi constituency, few answered Makan and Lekhi while mostly answered Modi.
Like Kotla, a village in Sarojini Nagar named Pillanji, a village adopted by BJP's candidate and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) Meenakshi Lekhi also witnessed perennial issues of water logging and chain snatching.
Dwarka Parsad, a resident, near polling booth said, "Crime rate is high here. One can manage to live a life with limited basic amenities, like water, electricity, schools but it is risk to leave family behind while moving out for work, adding, "Despite the adopted village Lekhi's visibility is zero here as garbage could be seen lying scattered all over", said Prasad in a tone filled with contempt on much trumpeted "Swachhta Mission"
Mehercahnd Market, near Lodhi Market were vocal in their support to a government that can work on cleanness and remove cows squatting on the roads.
Swati , a private employee, said, "Any government be it state or central, should have a policy framework for cows hovering on roads," "Cleanness and chain snatching are other problem here," said the voter near IV avenue road.
For voters in Delhi Cantonment, Moti Bagh and R K Puram, Non Functional Upgradation (NFU) is a burning issue which was never highlighted by any political identity for Defence officers.
Government employees who came to vote in Cantt area said, "Non acceptance of NFU for armed forces officers by government has not only caused them financial disadvantage vis-a-vis Group A civil services officers, but has also disturbed the equivalence with them. "Ironically, NFU was meant to compensate for stagnation, if that be so, no Group A civil service has as much stagnation as defence services. Now even Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) has got it. This leaves only defence officers in that bracket of services who have been denied NFU," a serving officer said.
