The Purvanchalis in Delhi are slowly emerging as a very significant vote bank, which all political parties are trying to woo. So, while the Aam Aadmi Party has declared a public holiday on Chhath Puja, falling on Thursday, not to be left behind is its arch rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has launched a campaign for hassle-free rituals at the river banks, as politics takes centrestage this festive season.
Purvanchalis constitute nearly 25 per cent of the electorate in the Capital, enjoying a sizeable popularity among all three parties, Congress included.
Over the last few years, the voters belonging to this community have played a crucial role in deciding the fate of candidates, the recent being the AAP's big win in the Bawana by-polls.
Candidate Ram Chander, a Purvanchali himself, helped the party romp home to victory by securing votes from JJ clusters dominated by members of the community. BJP suffered a debacle in Bawana and lost the seat by a margin of 24,000 votes. It had fielded defector MLA from AAP, Ved Prakash.
From Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to other ministers in his Cabinet, all have been keeping a close watch on the puja arrangements this year. According to an official statement released by Development Minister Gopal Rai, the government has developed over 550 ghats this year for the devotees and cleanliness at these banks was the top priority for them. Apart from pumping in Rs 20 crore to develop Chhath ghats and maintaining them, civic body officers, engineers, and other bureaucrats have been directed to review all facilities.
Meanwhile, after launching an attack on AAP for "playing with" the faith of devotees, BJP started its own 'shramdaan' programme at different ghats. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, who has roots in Purvanchal, announced a helpline for Chhath samities on Monday, to facilitate smooth organisation of the festival.
PARTY WARS
- BJP workers and volunteers cleaned ghats across the Capital, as mayors in the east and north MCDs inspected banks in their areas
- Congress has accused AAP and BJP of politicising the festival, claiming that in their bid to outdo each other, they have diluted the pious spirit of the festival
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