As Delhi Assembly election just two weeks away and rival parties leaving no stone unturned to reach out to the people, candidates fielded by political parties for Delhi Cantt Assembly seat, are facing identity crisis. What is even more interesting is that people in this particular segment connected themselves more with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and not with the Delhi Cantt. According to Election Commission of India (ECI), Delhi Cantt has 1,32,233 voters.
Mushrooming of slums, security of their wards and beautification of local markets are a few demands of the locals in this part of the national Capital. Their grouse stems from the fact their MLA Surrender Commando did nothing. The Pioneer visited in Delhi Cantt area and spoke to various people about the candidates of three parties.
Surprisingly, most of the people were not aware about the area MLA, while Cantt, which is itself a board, is known for its green, clean and well maintained roads in Delhi's heart aligning with few areas of west and south and central Delhi. However, a few colonies fall under the Cantt where Government employee are totally against emerging slums in their backyards.
"Slums in Government colonies cause various security threats. First — small children in slum are prone to drug, we have seen several time and reported few incidents to the council and authorities... but so far no changes have been seen," said a Defence Ministry official, "I personally addressed this issue to the sitting AAP's MLA Surender Commando as this was much about with the future of children, but politicians allow and use slum dwellers as their vote bank and hardly visit slums in posh area."
"There were various issues pertaining to colonies in Delhi Cantt while the NDMC has its own limitation while dealing with cantt area, I visited council's office however came back with no development," said Nidhi, a senior employee with External Affairs.
Gopinath Bazar, a busy market in Delhi Cantt where people come from all parts of the city to buy camouflage fabrics. However, less organized market has caught the attention of visitors and residents and make them feel, a need for an active MLA. "Beautification of Gopianath and Sadar should be done," said a Manju, a frequent visitor and a local resident.
AAP has fielded Virender Singh Kadian, a retired Air Force officer while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded a Purvanchali candidate Manish Singh who is very close to Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari and Congress has fielded Sandeep Tanwar. Cantt residents feel that the presence of Surender Commando was not visible in Cantt as he was non approachable and Rs this has given BJP a window to wrest this seat. Residents feel that the parties have gone for the candidates who are outsiders and less aware about Cantt's functioning.
Interestingly, Kadian who is outsider but a retired service officer may able to gain votes as being able to connect with the Cantt residents while Sigh from BJP is completely an outsider and Congress candidate Sandeep Tanwar who lives in Naraina is also a new candidate for the Cantt people.
Delhi Cantt was established in 1914. Previously it was known as Cantt Authority however in 1938. Boundary wall, creation of public toilets , beautification of parks, Constructions of PORTA cabin, development of Yashwant market and civil sewerage maintenance are few works in which MLA's active participation involved through the council.
BJP's member Karan singh Tanwar won the seat twice in the year 2008 and 2003 while soon after the Anna movement, AAP leader defeated him twice in 2013 and 2015.
In 2015, former AAP leader Surender Commando won the seat with 40133 votes while Tanwar managed 28,935 votes , in 2013, AAP won with 26,124 defeating BJP with 25,769 votes.
In 2008, Congress and BJP were in fight for the seat when BJP's Tanwer won the seat with 23,696 votes defeated Congress leader Ashok Ahuja with 16,435 votes, in 2003 , Tanwar won with 21,638 votes and congress candidate Kiran Chaudhry got 17,872 votes only.
