Beaming with enthusiasm and poll fervour, the ten Parliamentary constituencies in West Delhi witnessed a nerve-racking battle for seats on Wednesday. With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) making its debut this year, the Congress party faces dual antagonism — not just from its prime Opposition BJP, but the AAP as well.
Though the chilly winter morning started on a slow note, the polling centres were bustling with activity during the later half of the day. Numerous polling centres such as in Hari Nagar and Tilak Nagar remained busy and witnessed long queues till the end of the day keeping the booth officers occupied. The polling percentage at the polling centres, which was around 23 to 25 per cent in the beginning, shot up to 65 per cent by the end of the day.
With a third entrant into the political scenario, the locals had an alternate option to cast their votes and direct their anger with the ruling party. The AAP found its supporters in women and the youths, who felt that Delhi is in desperate need for a change. The polling centre at Sri Venkateshwara School in Matiala witnessed a record turnout and the centre achieved 50 per cent voting in the first half of the day itself. Matiala, though a Congress stronghold, witnessed many voters who preferred to either vote for the saffron party or the AAP this time. For 81-year-old Tirath Ram Arora, it is time to upturn the present ruling party, which has been at the helm of affairs since last three successive elections. Driven by the immediate need for change he said, “I am proud to say that I have cast my vote in favour of the BJP, which looks like a promising party to deliver on issues faced by the locals.” The young voters at the centre, however, chose to cast their votes in favour of the AAP.
The residents of Sikh-dominant areas like Hari Nagar and Tilak Nagar preferred to continue their support for the saffron party. Inhabitants of Hari Nagar said that even though the BJP’s winning candidate, Harsharan Singh Balli, was given a ticket from the Congress this time, the saffron party’s customary voters have decided to stay with it. “Being loyal voters for the party, we have voted for the BJP this time too. Even our relatives, who are residents of Tilak Nagar, have voted in favour of the BJP. This time, sitting MlA’s son, Rajiv Babbar is contesting election from the seat,” said Satinder Pal Singh, a resident of M Block, Hari Nagar.
In the rural areas such as Najafgarh the focus of the fight had been shifted from the popular trio. The seat’s throne held by Bharat Singh, who contested as an independent in last elections, at present appears to have embroiled in a tough fight between the BJP and Indian National lok Dal (INlD). “My first vote goes to the BJP as it has been a traditional party for me and my family,” said Shweta Singh, a CA student and a resident of Shyam Vihar, Najafgarh.