As issues ranging from lack of parking space to poor quality of water continue to plague the BJP’s “traditional seat,” a simmering dissatisfaction within the people of Krishna Nagar constituency is becoming increasingly visible.
What is worrying the BJP, which has fielded its chief ministerial nominee Kiran Bedi from the area, is its own internal survey suggesting that, for the first in 21 years, winning this seat is not going to be a cakewalk for the party.
Creating imbalance in the otherwise ‘safe seat’ of BJP is Aam Aadmi Party’s SK Bagga, who is a resident of Krishna Nagar and is quite a familiar face in the constituency. The Congress has fielded councillor Bansi lal, but the fight this time is clearly going to be between the BJP and AAP in this Assembly segment. The presence of AAP in Delhi has made the electoral battle triangular here.
Party observers believe that a sweeping victory for Kiran Bedi is unlikely. Hence, Union Minister and five-time MlA from the seat Dr Harsh Vardhan, is always seen with Bedi during her regular campaign trails.
“The BJP will win Krishna Nagar for sure, but the victory margin would be less compared to that in previous polls. To ensure that people connect with Bedi, Vardhan has been asked to always stay by her side,” said a senior party leader on condition of anonymity.
Residents of Krishna Nagar are mostly disgruntled due to lack of development in the area. Secondly, they are not able to connect with the former IPS officer who never resided in the area but rather in Uday Park, which falls under Malviya Nagar constituency.
“I have been living here since the past three decades and not much has changed except houses coming up even in the tiniest space imaginable. We have always voted for the BJP, but work here has suffered as Dr Saab (Harsh Vardhan) is now a big Minister and is not able to give much time.
“AAP’s candidate is quite active here. People know him,” said Ramesh Sehrawat, a resident of Geeta Colony. The Assembly seat’s four wards — Krishna Nagar, Geeta Colony, Anar Kali and Kondli — have distinct demography ranging from the middle class to the lower-middle class.
With scores of commercial outlets mushrooming in the area, what once used to be an affordable housing destination across the River Yamuna has now transformed into a shabby mesh of domestic and business activities. As there is little balance between the dense population and development in terms of civic amenities, problems that the locals face on a daily basis here are numerous. Inadequate parking slots and congestion are primary issues that have irked most residents.
“A parking lot, accommodating nearly 400 cars, was to be made here. The concerned authorities had even cut a ribbon at the site to flag off the project. But, there hasn’t been any work on that ever since,” said Bharat Bhushan, a shopowner in lal Quarter Market.
Sarla Devi, a resident of Chander Nagar complained, “The roads are so narrow. Everything — from cars, rickshaws, tempos to trucks — moves around causing such awful jams. Most of the time, police is called to ease the situation.”
The constituency has a large population of Punjabis, who constitute around 45 per cent of the total voters here. Banias, Muslims, OBC and slum dwellers have an almost equal share of around 10 per cent. People from Bihar form a small yet significant section of voters here at 7.5 per cent.