New Delhi

Delhi all set for interesting electoral battles

NEW DELHI: Going by the 53-candidate list released by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the unofficial list of the Congress, Delhi is likely to see some interesting electoral battles in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. In at least five of the seats, delimitation of constituencies has resulted in direct fights between sitting Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Incidentally four of these contests would be in the newly defined New Delhi parliamentary constituency. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit would be facing Saket MLA Vijay Jolly from the New Delhi Assembly segment. This is expected to be the most high-profile battle of Delhi.

While some were seeing this fight as an attempt by some party leaders to sacrifice the “over enthusiastic” Mr. Jolly, he himself sees this as an opportunity to rise the political ladder. Already despite being a first time MLA, he had through his participation in various discussions in the Delhi Assembly made a name for himself. Also, due to being articulate, the party had some time ago given him the post of joint convener in the All-India Overseas Cell.

Out to prove that Ms. Dikshit is “not invincible”, Mr. Jolly would as per the plans of the party try his best to keep her confined to the constituency so that she does not get much time to campaign elsewhere when the election is primarily being fought by the Congress as a mandate on the 10 years of work of her Government.

From Moti Nagar again former television personality and Paharganj Congress MLA Anjali Rai would be seen opposite Subhash Sachdeva of the BJP. This would be an interesting election as Ms. Rai has the staunch support of Ms. Dikshit as also New Delhi MP and Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken. Still, Mr. Sachdeva is expected to provide her a strong fight.

In Delhi Cantonment, sitting MLA Karan Singh Tanwar of the BJP will not face off against Sarojini Nagar MLA Ashok Ahuja. As a large chunk of Mr. Ahuja’s constituency has got absorbed in Ms. Dikshit’s New Delhi segment, he is likely to be fielded from Delhi Cantonment. Going by the Delhi Cantonment elections, in which the Congress had lost, Mr. Ahuja has his task cut out this time round.

From Rajinder Nagar a close confidante of the Chief Minister, Congress Chief Whip in the Delhi Assembly and Patel Nagar MLA Ramakant Goswami is now opposite sitting MLA Puran Chand Yogi of the BJP. Rajinder Nagar now comprises nearly 40 per cent of Mr. Goswami’s old constituency. He is banking on being a Punjabi and a Brahmin for winning the election. But despite his popularity in these sections, Mr. Goswami can look forward to a tough battle ahead. Finally, Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf also has a fellow legislator opposite him in his Ballimaran constituency. Moti Lal Sodhi is now pitted against him since his Ram Nagar (SC) constituency no longer exists. But while Mr. Sodhi may thrill the electorate, Mr. Yusuf this time faces a greater challenge from the BSP candidate.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu