Delhi Elections: ‘Kejriwal vs Who?’

Expansive, plush and awe-inspiring. It may not be anybody’s first guess, but these adjectives can easily be used to describe the under-construction multi-storey hospital located at Kaushik Enclave in Burari. The 800-bed hospital in Northwest Delhi is part of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s ambitious plan to rebuild the health infrastructure in the national capital. But why has AAP chosen this location for the hospital? The answer lies probably in its attempt at strengthening its base in the unauthorised colonies. Conservatives estimates suggest that almost 40 lakh people live in these unplanned, highly dense localities spread across Delhi.

NewsClick visited a few unauthorised colonies to gauge mood of the people who will be voting on February 8 in Delhi Assembly elections. The two key players in this electoral battle will be AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the former is banking on its performance and clean image of Arvind Kejriwal, the latter’s campaign has been based on polarising the masses.

Kamalesh Upadhyay, a resident of Kaushik Enclave, is a government employee who works in Central Delhi. Upadhyay feels that the hospital will bring relief to the residents who had to travel 12 kilometre to reach Bada Hindu Rao hospital. Talking to NewsClick, he says, “It will bring relief to us as we had no option but to go to the private hospitals in this area. I may afford it, but not many can.”

Talking about the performance of AAP and its prospects in upcoming elections, Upadhyay says, “It has met the expectations regarding the promises it had made. We have lower electricity bills now. The water supply is timely. The streets are being revamped with new sewage connectivity. As far as its prospects are concerned, the win of the Aam Aadmi Party candidate Sanjeev Jha appears to be easy, as both the main rival parties, the Congress and the BJP, have fielded lightweights against him. The Congress and the BJP has offered the seat to their alliance partners, Rashtriya Janta Dal and Janta Dal (United).”

Upadhyay is soon joined by his friend Devesh. As the conversation flows, many other issues come up. While Upadhyay is eager to send his son to JNU, Devesh thinks that the university is not good for students. He also believes that abrogation of Article 370 is a correct step. “We have seen it on the news channels,” he says to justify his views. He further admits that he has not read anything about Article 370 or contribution of JNU in the field of academics and research. He asks, “Why would the news channels mislead us?”

Devesh has enrolled his son at a private school, but wants his relative’s son admitted to a Central School. The Central Schools, known for their quality and excellence, are part of a chain of schools run by the central government body Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. He says, “My brother-in-law was working for a construction company. Now, these companies have gone bankrupt or are facing slowdown. Post demonetisation, he was jobless for four months. Now, in this condition, if his son gets admission in a Central School, it will bring tremendous relief to him.”

NewsClick also visited the office of the AAP to understand their campaign strategy in the area. Located on a big muddy plot, the double storey office was offered by a party sympathiser to AAP. R D Pal, a local resident and supporter of AAP, says that sitting MP and BJP state President Manoj Tiwari has never paid a visit to this area to understand people’s issues.

“This area has a large number of people who have retired from government jobs. He could have asked the Centre to set up a CGHS dispensary. Similarly, he could have asked the MHRD to set up a Central School here. He adopted Kadipur village under Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana. Anyone should just go to that village and check its condition,” says Pal.

An interaction with Pal also reveals that the party is not encashing on the development agenda only but has also scored points using the religion card. “We facilitated pilgrimages (teerth yatras) for thousands of poor people.” AAP has also promised construction of Uttarayani Ghat (a riverbank spot for offering prayers on Makar Sankranti) for the people hailing from Uttarakhand in the constituency.

After Burari, NewsClick visited Nangli Dairy, another unauthorised colony adjacent to the gated communities of Dwarka. When asked about the regularisation of the unauthorised colonies, Dubey says, “We do not believe in BJP leaders’ words. It was said that the registry of the proprieties will begin from January 16. But no material has come out.” However, Dubey is miffed with the dismal employment opportunities in the area. He said, “First, we saw that the shops and home-based industries were closed in the sealing drive. Then, small industrial units are being closed, citing pollution. You need to identify the units causing pollution and then you can close them. There cannot be a blanket ban on all units. Remember that there are thousands of women workers in these units.”

Inderjeet, a resident of the same colony, said that the Basai Darapur, a colony known for micro industrial units has seen unprecedented closure of units.

But, the benefits under the AAP government seem to be outweighing the inconveniences. Devanti Devi, who is in her fifties, said that she could battle typhoid because of new facilities like Mohalla Clinics. Talking to NewsClick, she said, “First I was diagnosed with Typhoid at the clinic. Then, I received my pills regularly from the clinics.”

NewsClick also spoke with an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who said that only patriots will vote for the saffron party [BJP]. He refrained from disclosing the details of their campaign, but he is confident of BJP’s win. When asked about unemployment, he says, “I do not see joblessness anywhere!” When confronted about the NSSO report on joblessness being the highest in the past 45 years, he says, “It’s a rumour.”

Far from the slogans and the noise of the campaign, Nitish Kumar, a student preparing for civil services examinations, wants the AAP government to continue. “My school was revamped beyond imagination. Now, I envy the students who are studying in the schools. In the general elections, BJP built the ‘Modi versus who?’ narrative. Now, the AAP is confronting BJP along the same line, asking ‘Kejriwal versus who?”