For the high-stakes Delhi Assembly polls that kick started at 8:00 am with a few voters at polling booths but gained momentum as the sun rose in the national Capital's long winter season. Majority of the votes were polled in the afternoon. With tough fight in many seats across the 70 constituencies, developmental work such as education, CCTV cameras, health, free electricity, water and bus ride were the talk of RK Puram constituency which houses a number of Government officials as well as slum clusters, while in Malviya Nagar, the response were mixed from the public. People were mixed with diplomatic answer, while in other hand; many openly accepted that they cast their vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AAP.
"See, the Government colonies are already well developed and have quite good infrastructural arrangements with daily basic needs near home but in a overall perspective, be it in education, health, water, electricity and empowerment of woman, safety and CCTV cameras. Kejriwal Government has done a lot which is visible on ground. Thus, my vote is based on works done in the city," said Simi, a resident of Sector -1 R K Puram.
While a first time voter, Aishwarya, a resident of Sector 6 R K Puram, said, "My vote is for the developments done in my locality and of course my city. Now, I see woman safety in bus, CCTV cameras in every corner. When I was young in class 8, coming from school, a person harassed and touched me and I cried and yelled but none of passengers came for my support and I was scared to use the bus but now there is a marshal guard in the bus and even the driver and conductor have been sensitised that they also come for support when a women raises an alarm, so, my vote will be based on works."
"Hum to BJP samarthak hain aur humara vote unka hi jayega (I am a BJP support and my vote will go for the party). I live in the Munirka area for the last 15 years. There is no work done in the inside the Munirka Village, it is very congested, no platforms, footpaths to walk. Also, AAP government has done a lot for the people free electricity, water but not for the tenants. Even after the 'Kirayedar bijli yojana', implemented, the tenants are nowhere to go because here per unit rate goes to Rs 8-12, if they will fight, will lose their house and finding an accommodation in the city is hard to find," said Indrajeet Singh, who owns a furniture shop.
The poll which began at 8:00 am on Saturday and end at 7.30 pm. The Pioneer visited number of polling booths to gauge the mood of the people, came across mixed response, whereas in R K Puram constituency, large number of people especially the government servants supported AAP while, the people living in their independent house and rented accommodation backed BJP saying they are looking at the developments done in national level. Malviya Nagar which accommodates rich, middle class and traders had mixed a response with diplomatic answers.
"Both BJP and AAP have done good work for the people of Hauz Rani, so it depends upon the lot of work done in our society. However, AAP should be given another chance in the city. They have done many developmental works for the people. It was the central government led Central Board Secondary Education (CBSE) that hiked fees for the 12th class board exams but the Delhi Government paid the fees, so it is doing good job in school, mohalla clinics have been opened, and bus rides are free for woman. Dusra mauka to banta hai," said Babita Rani, a vegetable seller in Hauz Rani.
While, Madhav Pandey, a senior citizen, diplomatically answered, saying, "Jo jeetega usi ko humne vote diya, (The person who will win, my vote has gone to him." "I see at national level, national security, thus my vote is for Modi," said Dharampal. There were others who did not disclose their choices but were lined up to cast their votes. "February 11, (Tuesday) would be quite interesting to see who wins", said Varun of Munirka village.