In Delhi's Kasturba Nagar constituency, a triangular fight is visible between ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. Least bothered about the national issues like CAA / NRC, people in New Delhi will vote on the basis of candidates’ development parameters.
Interestingly, in traders' dominating constituency, people are happy with the new pipeline work done by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) whereas, in market areas, people lauded beautification of streets and parks with the installation of benches, round tables, parking spaces, drinking water outlets by BJP-ruled South Delhi Municipal Council (SDMC).
In many parts of Lajpat Nagar constituency, people are directly benefitting from Mohalla Clinic services and have started avoiding routine checkup visits in big private hospital.
In Defence colony area of the Kasturba Nagar constituency where the primary concern is still garbage disposal and traffic congestions, low parking spaces, the residents are favouring Congress candidate, Abhishek Dutt.
While in other parts of Delhi where CAA, NRC and NPR are the subject of debate among residents, the Kasturba Gandhi people have cleared that the one who work will get the vote.
In Amar Colony area, where primary concern is to get unsealed the shops, people have hopes from the Central Government.
Well aware about the Supreme Court monitoring committee, Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA), the traders said that whosoever in Center can help us. "We are business people, BJP is in Center but failed to do anything on sealing issue, we are suffering here, jobs and business both have suffered," said Parmeesh Sachdeva, a trader in Amar Colony.
In INA, people are more inclined to BJP. Feeling leftout from AAP's development model, people in INA said Kejriwal always said Modi government does not allow them to work. "Will vote for BJP, Delhi has support of central government in development," said Shrishti Sharma, resident.
Interestingly, active Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the constituency is playing crucial rule this time.
In Lajpat Nagar , INA, Defence Colony and Andrews Ganj, South Extension are areas where RWAs are organizing small gathering and discussing various issues pertaining water , Sanitation, air pollution , primary healthcare, beautification of parks, street lights and installation of CCTV cameras in their respective areas.
Supply of drinking water in South Extension Part- I is an issue.
According to Nishtha, owner of a coaching institute in South Extension said that the area is hub for the coaching centers and Paying guests. "Students across India stay here to get enrolled themselves in premier institution of India, however, many times, I have heard water scarcity issues, particularly in summer season," she said.
People residing in South Extension shared that AAP Government never visited in their areas. "Not even in election time, AAP is focusing on low line areas..If you see Kotla, AAP's candidates visit there and take the feedback whereas in our area, where drinking water is major problem, AAP is nowhere ," said Sushant Singh.
In 1972, CL Balmakiof Congress won elections with 12,578 votes defeated Bahrtiya Jan Singh candidate Sanwal Das. In 1977 , Jaswant Singh , Janta Party won defeated Congress candidate. In 1983 Jagdish Lal Batra from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) won elections with 9,678 votes, Batra won again in 1993 with 25,215 votes. In 1998 and 2003 BJP candidate Sushil Chaudhary won twice with 20,146 and 17,949 votes respectively.
Interestingly, in 2008, Congress came back with 33,807 votes while in 2013, with the induction of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Madan Lal won defeated Shika Roy, BJP candidate gaining 33,609 vote.
