AAP hopeful of a win in Cong bastion Old Delhi, again

While quietude prevailed in most parts of the city on the polling day, life seemed to move at its usual frenetic pace in the Walled City.  

The streets were abuzz with election-related activity. Nestled in narrow alleys, locating the booths was a task in itself, but party workers could be seen guiding the voters.

Though wards including Jama Masjid, Ajmeri Gate, Ballimaran, Dilli Gate, and Sitaram Bazar, are traditional Congress strongholds, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seemed to be cutting into the party’s vote bank, much like the 2015 Assembly polls. Some parts of Chandni Chowk, however, had a large number of traders supporting the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP).

Mohammad Sameer, 33, of Ballimaran, said, “All Congress votes have gone to the broom (AAP’s poll symbol) now.”

Echoing the sentiment, 19-year-old Rabiya also said, “I voted for the first time. I see AAP workers coming here all the time. They are accessible and willing to work.”

So, even as they recounted the work done by the Congress, people claimed that it was AAP that changed things in a big way. Then there were some who remained loyal to Ramesh Dutta, 72, the nine-time sitting Congress councillor from Dilli Gate, who was denied ticket by the party this time. Dutta contested as an Independent candidate and remained the top choice of several voters.

Meanwhile, the polling progressed in a peaceful manner except reports of minor scuffles between AAP and Congress workers.