It is two-decades of helping people versus promise of new hope
By Nivedita Bhardwaj, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Wires dangling precariously, perennial congestion and cacophony of sounds from all kinds of vehicles and animals – both bipeds and multipeds – can be a fitting description of one of Delhi’s oldest living areas, the Walled City.
Ballimaran, one of the three major constituencies from the area, is no exception. Year after year, people have felt the area is neglected by municipal and Delhi government authorities and special purpose vehicles, such as Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation, have served no purpose whatsoever. Ahead of the February 7 voting for electing a new assembly in Delhi, voters are hopeful, yet again.
Traffic congestion right outside Fatehpuri Masjid, perennially a work-on-progress zone
The constituency has a sizable Muslim population – almost over 40 % and hence Muslim votes, generally going to a single candidate, are able to swing result. But since 1993, the area has constantly elected Haroon Yusuf of the Congress. “Since 1993, it has always been like ‘Haroon Yusuf versus other parties’ and never ‘Congress versus other parties’,” corrects Athal Ludhiyanvi, a Congress worker.
Unlike in other parts of Delhi, where surveys have indicated that BJP and AAP are neck-to-neck, here, the competition is between AAP and Congress, BJP has no stake as such. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has pitched Imran Hussain against Yusuf. Hussain, a sitting municipal councilor, was earlier with RLD, then with BSP before he migrated to AAP ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Children wave Congress flags
Rajendra Kumar Gupta, president, Delhi Steel Tool and Hardware Traders’ Association, who has his shop at a stone’s throw away from Chawri Bazar metro station, said: “Ballimaran and the neighbouring Matia Mahal, both are witnessing AAP wave. Kejriwal’s image has appealed to the people here.”
But Yusuf’s track record of ‘nurturing’ his constituency by helping people is something his supporters claim will sail him through. Chirpy young Rizwana Habib runs ‘Bright Study Circle’ with her husband Habib-ur-Rehman on Lal Kuan main road. “Haroon Bhai has done a lot of work for the area. But a major problem remains: the pathetic traffic condition. We just want respite from the congestion.”
Rizwana and her husband Habi-ur-Rehman want to get rid of traffic problem of the congested area
Rehman, a staunch Congress supporter, says: “I am hoping for Congress to return. AAP had made lot of promises. Whatever may be the reasons, but they ran away in 49 days.”
But has Yusuf been able to address all problems of the area? Ubaid Khan, a Congress worker and a businessman, says: “Why would we have any problem? Haroon Bhai has helped people for so long. Roads used to get flooded in monsoon, children were not able to go to school. Most of these problems are now taken care of. Yes, the traffic woes do continue.”
Akhtar Nisha, a resident of Lal Kuan, does tailoring work from her home. She says: “Haroon Yusuf has helped al most anybody and everybody.
And these are not the only ones favouring Yusuf. Akhtar Nisha, who does tailoring work from her home, says, “Haroon Yusuf has helped almost anybody and everybody. Be it someone’s personal problem, be it some area’s problems. He has helped even to the extent of bearing the expenditure of marriages of daughters from poor families.”
Zahid Khan runs a bangles shop. “Haroon Bhai listens to all our problems, whatever grievances we take to him, our work is always done.
Zahid Khan, who runs a bangles shop in one of the narrow by-lanes, says: “Haroon Bhai listens to all our problems, whatever grievances we take to him, our work is always done. He helps us all. I am sure, he will be the winner again.”
Sunita Rajput, a resident of Farrashkhana: “Haroon Yusuf helps only his people. What has he done for us?
But against the overwhelming number of people vouching for all the help that Yusuf has rendered, there are a few unhappy souls too. For instance, Sunita Rajput, a resident of Farrashkhana. She is a housewife, her husband does electrical work. “Haroon Yusuf helps, yes indeed. But he helps only his people. What has he done for us?”
Congress workers ahead of a preparation of a jalsa on Lal Kuan main road
She does not name names, but clearly is indicating that Yusuf has helped only Muslims from the area and not Hindus. “For us, it has been no change at all these years. So, I am now hoping BJP does something,” she says.
M Nafees, a resident of Kucha Pandit, points out another point. “There has been no communal riot in the area after 1993 (since Yusuf became the MLA). Isn’t that a great achievement?”
Rajinder Sharma, says, “BJP gave three CMs in one term of 5 years. Congress had just one CM in three terms.
Rajinder Sharma, who runs a mechanical workshop from a begrimed cubicle-like place, “There is no let down in Congress form. Just compare the track record – BJP gave three CMs in one term of 5 years. Congress had just one CM in three terms.”
Dangling wires are a hall mark of Walled City areas and Ballimaran is no exception although it continues to pose problems
Sharma is also banking on carpet coverage by television channels, where he feels issues such as allegations about AAP funds etc will have impact on the voters here. “History tells: People have sent back the party that is responsible for re-election.”
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