Lack of connectivity and transport system, bad roads and water supply are the core issues which residents of Outer Delhi's Narela constituency are concerned about. Though the residents praised the works initiated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in their area but rued being on the outskirts of the national Capital, Narela is neglected by every Government and political parties.
Most of the localities in the constituency, touchings Haryana border, are rural and have villages Lampur, Mamurpur, Akbarpur Majra, Bakhtawarpur, Bakouli, Bankner, Bhorgarh, Budhpur, Ghoga, Hamidpur, Hiranki, Holambi Kalan, Holambi Khurd, Iradat Nagar, Jhangola, Jindpur, Khampur, Khera Kalan, Shahpur Garhi, Singhola, Singhu, Sungerpur, Tajpur Kalan and Tigipur.
One of the most famous Assembly constituency, Narela also have historic factors traced back to Harappa and Indus Valley Civilisation and its roots are also mentioned in the 'Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri', the autobiography of Mughal emperor Jahangir.
For 2020 elections, Narela has been declared as a 'general seat' open to any candidate. This time once again AAP has fielded Sharad Kumar, its sitting MLA, who is favourite among the residents, living in unauthorised colonies in the area, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Neel Daman Khatri who have a stronghold among rural residents and belongs to Mamurpur village.
The congress which once had a vote bank of unauthorized residents and locals has brought Siddarth Kundu, who is also a local from Akbarpur Majra village and he is also well known among locals. The fight is the constituency is between BJP and AAP candidates. People are happy with AAP on their freebies but BJP has an advantage of the rural vote bank.
"The main issues which we face are traffic jams, narrow lanes, bad roads and a transport system which could connect the residents if Narela with Delhi," said Sajjan Kumar, a local resident in Narela.
"Some works have been done by AAP in the constituency. In some areas roads have been built and the free electricity is the main reason I will again vote for AAP candidate," said Suraj Bhan, a resident of Tajpur Kalan.
"Being on outskirts of Delhi, the area is quite disconnected with the entire Delhi as there is no proper Government transport system. For metro we have go to Samaypur Badli and its far and during works hours traffic chaos is a routine thing," said Mukesh Tushir, a resident of Mamurpur village.
"Though street light have been installed in the area but there are several blind spot in the area. When we go towards DDA road or DDA office, the lights are not working and there have been several crimes on that route during night hours," said Chander Singh, a resident of DDA flats in Narela.
"This time there is tough fight between AAP and BJP. Both are favourites of the residents and both have done developmental works during their tenure. Issues pertaining to electricity and water have been resolved by the AAP led Delhi government whereas some works are also done by BJP led Union Government, so public here have mix response over whom will they vote this time," said Ajeet, a proprietor in Narela.
Narela has 2,40,811 voters including 1,34,027 men and 1,06,767 women besides 17 third gender voters. In 2015 general elections, AAP's candidate Sharad Kumar captured this seat by securing 96,143 votes and overtaking the BJP contestant Neel Daman Khatri who secured 55,851 votes.
In the 2013 elections, Neel Daman Khatri of BJP held this seat and before him, Congress's Jaswant Singh won in 2008 assembly elections. The runner ups during both these elections were BSP's Virender and Sharad Kumar respectively. For three assembly elections from 1993 to 2003, the Narela assembly constituency was reserved for SC candidates and since 2008, it has been a general seat.
Congress had been winning this seat since 1998 elections before BJP claimed it from them during the 2013 assembly elections. From 1988 to 2008, this Vidhan Sabha seat was held by Congress's Charan Singh Kandera who remained in his office for two consecutive terms.
The vote share of 96,143 scored by AAP's Sharad Kumar during the last assembly elections was the highest the constituency has ever seen while no other candidate could cross 56,000 votes before he set this record. Notably, this was the first time an AAP candidate won from this seat and went to the Vidhan Sabha with such overwhelming support from the voters.