2013 Delhi Polls: Who will have the last laugh?

2013 Delhi Polls: Who will have the last laugh?

With the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi’s political circle, the equation of  two major national parties Congress and BJP have suffered a setback in terms of gaining votes. RTI

activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP is likely to play a bigger role in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled to take place in November this year.

The incumbent Congress government is alleged to be corrupt with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit being accused of ‘promoting’ irregularities. If the ignominious Commonwealth Games scam was not enough, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has now blamed her for malpractices in imported equipment for street lighting in the city during the Games.

The victory would have been easier for the state’s principal opposition party i.e. BJP but the inception of AAP means that the saffron party stands a slim chance to return to power after 15 years. Add to this, factionalism and inner conflicts in the state unit have made things more difficult. However, a wave of anti-incumbency factor has complicated ruling party’s chances to retain power for the third consecutive term. Both the Congress and BJP have appointed new party in-charge with a motive to infuse new spirit amongst the cadres who will be able to perform better when the ten million strong electorate sets out to polling booths. In a bid to show all is well in state unit of Congress, the

Chief Minister along with state party President JP Aggarwal came together and unveiled a booklet titled "Development model under the Dikshit regime" on August 1.

The manifesto was released with an eye on approaching polls, but it was felt that people must be aware of what the government has done not just in the last five years but also since coming to power. This booklet mainly focuses on development, particularly infrastructural initiatives. It has also highlighted policies for the aam aadmi like regularization of unauthorized colonies and providing facilities. 

Contrary to this, the opposition is trying to bank on the rising dissent arising due to inflation, rampant corruption, law and order situation and tariff hike of electricity and water. The party has promised to slum dwellers that they would be allotted houses in the event if the party wins the assembly polls. BJP State unit President Vijay Goel said, “There are 685 slum clusters in the city with 40 lakhs inhabitants and they have been cheated by the Congress government for the last 15 years”.  Goel also promised a single point electricity connection to the residents of slums with water supply, gas connection at affordable rates proper sewage facility and set up of police booths to check on crimes.  
 
The BJP has raked up the issue of power tariff hike in an aggressive manner this election. While the power price witnessed

a rise by 22 per cent in 2011, it shot up by five percent more last year. Goel promised that the BJP if comes to power will get the power rates slashed by 30 per cent.

With the implementation of Food Security Ordinance in the capital aimed at targeting more than half of Delhi voters, the Congress is of the perception that such a move would turn out to be master stroke in the upcoming elections.  To woo the CNG-run public transport drivers, the state government has launched an insurance scheme covering approximately 3 lakh voters.

With a sizeable support base in middle as well as lower-income earning population, the Aam Aadmi Party is gaining momentum on a day- to- day basis with its focus on women’s safety, Janlokpal, electricity, water bill and corruption. The Assembly elections in the 70-seat strong Delhi Assembly will be held at the

end of this year. The victorious party will definitely enter the General Elections with head held high in confidence.