Bustling with business and domestic activities amidst an acute shortage of civic amenities, Seelampur comes as one of the most undeveloped constituencies in the Trans-Yamuna region.
Marked by narrow and dingy lanes, overflowing drains, and constant thoroughfare by people, this seat from North-East Delhi has seen little development over the past few years. With numerous criminal incidents occurring regularly, law and order too is a major concern for the residents here. Interestingly, despite failing to channel any big project in the area, its MlA, Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed, continues to enjoy a decent support from locals of the area.
Comprising a Muslim majority, the people of Seelampur have a long list of issues that range from general ones like inflation and corruption to specific ones like inadequate sanitation, faulty drainage system, chaotic vehicular movement and contaminated water. ‘
The constituency also has a big chunk of migrants from various parts of Western UP. Owing to this blend in the demography of Seelampur, speculations are rife that the recent cases of communal violence in the area may polarise votes of major communities in their own folds. Besides, this North-East constituency is also home to a large number of poor and lower-middle class people who work as casual labourers in factories located at Gandhi Nagar and other nearby areas. As a result, the region looks shabby with filth at every corner.
Gauging his popularity among the masses, the Congress has once again nominated Ahmed as its candidate from this seat for the December 4 polls. Ahmed, who hails from the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, has been taking charge of the constituency for four consecutive terms. Hence, the faith of voters in Ahmed is likely to guard him from the consolidation of anti-incumbency this time. Ahmed relies on a strong Muslim vote bank in the area. Moreover, a major chunk of Hindu voters also support him.
The BJP, on the other hand, has fielded Kaushal Mishra who is a new face for the locals. Several residents opined that the chances of BJP’s win in Seelampur have reduced as they expected the arty to give a ticket to Sanjay Jain instead of Mishra.
“Sanjay Jain is the councillor of Maujpur ward and he had bagged 3,000 Muslim votes in the Municipal Corporation election last year. He would have been a strong candidate compared to Mishra. Jain is a known face not the latter,” said Subodh Rai, a resident of Kailash Nagar. The BSP has given ticket to Aasma Begum, a ward councillor from Chauhan Bangur ward, while the Aam Aadmi Party, Peace Party and Samajwadi Party have also announced Muslim candidates eyeing the Muslim vote bank existing here.
Though people blame Ahmed for not doing enough to redress problems faced by them, they still favoured him due to his amiable nature and secular credential. “Though people are facing a tough time due to inflation, but I will vote for Mateen who has done lot of work for us. The MlA hears grievances of the people patiently and makes sincere efforts to sort them out,” said Zahoor Hasan, a resident of New Usmanpur area.