‘Tried-and-tested’ Kapil Sibal dares anyone to compare their record with his Strong anti-incumbency and corruption charges have failed to deter KAPIl SIBAl, the two-time sitting MP from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency and a powerful Minister in the Congress-led UPA Government in Centre. Sibal is confident of retaining his seat for the third time in a row. For him, a ‘pro-BJP mood’ in the country is false and fabricated and he exuded confidence that the Congress would win all seven seats in Delhi in the April 10 lok Sabha polls. He, however, refused to comment on who would form the next Government in the country. In a conversation with RAKESH RANJAN, the Congress leader discussed the poll prospects and the issues governing the elections this time.
How difficult is the lok Sabha election going to be for the CongressIJ
Electoral contests are never easy. Every election comes with new challenges. But I am confident of victory in Chandni Chowk. People of my constituency know me well and they have tried and tested me for 10 years. We have delivered on our promises.
Do you see anti-incumbency as a major factor in the electionsIJ
There was anti-incumbency against the Congress in 2009 elections too but the party performed even better. In Delhi, the Congress won all seven parliamentary seats. Similarly in Chandni Chowk, I won with a bigger margin as compared to 2004. In 2009, I won by over 2 lakh votes, which clearly suggested the public mood in favour of the Congress. This time too, the party will win all seven seats in Delhi.
But the Congress’ dismal performance in Delhi Assembly polls presents a different picture.
Congress’ defeat in the 2013 Assembly polls had nothing to do with anti-incumbency. It was just the Aam Aadmi Party managed to sell dreams to the people of Delhi. But the AAP stands exposed. The party cannot mislead the people of Delhi with false promises. People have seen the anarchic character of the AAP leaders. They are the ones responsible for political instability and President’s Rule in Delhi.
You are often accused of being inaccessible in the constituency.
These charges are baseless. During the last five years, I have visited my constituency 570 times. This implies every third day I have been in my constituency. In addition to this, I have held 170 meetings with local representatives and officials of various departments to take stock of development work being carried out in Chandni Chowk.
The redevelopment of the entire Walled City has been on hold for a fairly long time now.
The Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Plan has been approved but the work could not be started due to theModel Code of Conduct coming into effect ahead of Assembly polls last year. This was followed by the AAP Government and again the Code of Conduct has been imposed. I am sure the work would start on the project as soon the elections are over.
How do you rate your opponents — Dr Harsh Vardhan and AshutoshIJ
They are not a challenge for me. People are disenchanted with the AAP while the BJP has fielded a candidate who is an outsider. Where was he (Harsh Vardhan) all these 21 yearsIJ