Malviya Nagar constituency, currently represented by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Somnath Bharti, appeared to be locked in a tough fight with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Shailendra Singh Monty. Congress has fielded former Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) president and municipal councillor Neetu Verma Soin. Malviya Nagar Assembly constituency (AC) houses posh colonies such as Safdurjung Enclave, Hauz Khas, Geetanjli, Krishna Nagar and densely populated Hauz Rani and Begumpur colonies.
The major concern of the constituency is perennial traffic snarls and lack of adequate parking facilities. While, some residents of Malviya Nagar criticised the free bus ride for women, free electricity and water but a sizeable number of people, especially women supported the free schemes.
"The people who are criticizing free schemes are those who are rich enough to pay bills, have shelter and numerous plots that they even did not work and earn enough by renting their homes. But what about the poor people who live on rent and slums? Arvind Kejriwal has done good work and implemented schemes to benefit the backward people of Delhi," says Krishna, who manages a pottery shop in Hauz Rani area.
Sonam, a resident of Safdurjung Enclave, who is a housewife, said, "I will vote on the basis of the work done in the city and welfare of the people. Till, 2013 we have only heard promises made by the politicians which remained a promise only but in the last five years we have seen many developmental works and safety schemes implemented in Delhi for women safety, education and in health sector. AAP's work is visible; they have fulfilled their promises unlike other political parties."
Some of the shopkeepers who deal in handicrafts and artifacts market in Hauz Rani Area appeared confused. "We are still confused whom to vote. Kejriwal gave us free water, electricity and bus ride and Modi has provided free gas cylinders," said Lado Devi, who owns a handicrafts shop.
"The major issues in the Malviya Nagar constituency are traffic jams, parking and encroachment of footpaths and platforms. There is hardly facility for pedestrians and never ending traffic jams are the biggest concern for the people living here," said Neha, a law professional.
"We the people have given chance to all the parties in the following years. This time AAP's work is visible on ground, although many more works is yet to be done but the people are happy and wants give them a second chance," said Mohammad Arman.
Meanwhile, an octogenarian voter Hari Raj Singh said, "In the old age, one wants to visit pilgrimage and this has been fulfilled by AAP. We are requesting and writing letters to Centre for old age pension but have lost hope. At least AAP is providing free health schemes and mohalla clinics."
There were voices that criticised AAP dispensation, "AAP kept crying for the last four years blaming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for stopping all its files but it suddenly implemented all the schemes such as free electricity, water and transport just four months before the elections. Why? Now BJP cleared all the files," said Dwarka, a resident of Malviya Nagar adding BJP will construct Ram Mandir, article 370 has been revoked and Triple Talaq has been removed, he said.
Current MLA of the Malviya Nagar constituency is Somnath Bharti from AAP, who won the seat in both 2013 and 2015 elections. While Congress had retained the constituency for three consecutive term from 1998 to 2008.Yoganand Shastri and Kiran Walia were sent to the Vidhan Sabha. BJP's Rajenda Gupta had won this seat in 1993 elections.
The total number of voters in the constituency are 1,52,345, out of which 82,261 are male voters, 70,082 are female voters and two are transgender voters.