Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma

Free Thinker *

Every now and then we need to see what is going on in the Capital city of Bharat that is Dilli, popularly known as Delhi (Indraprastha), which has been the power centre for many thousand years. At present Dilli is controlled by two Governments namely Atishi/Arvind Government and Modi/Shah Government. The power jurisdiction is clearly defined between the two except in some few areas – like pollution and corruption.

At this juncture there is full election hawa in every nook and corner of the capital city. All the major political parties have announced freebies one after another. People who pay tax are grumbling about these extraordinary populist measures.

These may be election gimmicks – but a promise is a promise . The present incumbent Government has done something unique like free ride for women – don’t think otherwise – it is just bus ride, not even metro ride; in fact this is an extremely popular scheme among the poor girls and women. Free water and free electricity upto certain units, Mohala clinics, free medicine/treatment scheme for the citizens have limited success.

However the Delhi Daru program was amazing though punctured by the teetotalers. If it continued APP would have won this election hands-down. In fact buy one get one free was a huge success – people from the adjoining States had arrived to enjoy the facility. AAP Govt became badanaam as every Government in India knows daru and its versatility. You know money from daru, dacoity, double dealings evaporates in minutes.

The CM Bungalow was made a news – because it was constructed badly but modified expensively and the accessories and decors are marvelously costly. Not a problem. But the real problem was the daru and dawai. If there is a strong triangular contest between the BJP, AAP and Congress – real advantage will go to BJP. The reason is quite obvious – the vote bank of AAP and Congress are more or less the same.

In Dilli, Dalits and Muslims usually vote for Congress or AAP . If these votes are divided – BJP will have the edge. Normally BJP voters are the traders, mercantile class and staunch Hindus. And the timely announcement for the constitution of Eight Pay Commission may also help the BJP – because Delhi is a land of babus and bureaucrats.

AAP cries foul for withdrawing security cover for Kejriwal. Perhaps there was no withdrawal of security; when he was CM security arrangement was huge. Now he is simply an MLA – obviously there may be some reduction in his security.

After all he is a brave man and he does not require any security. Many believe that there is no threat to his life; the recent attack on his car was not meant to assassinate him – perhaps just a warning not to roam here and there during election time.

This is ‘do or die’ time for AAP – if they lose they will be nowhere. So they are trying their level best to retain power for the third consecutive term. Last time they won 62 out of 70. This time they are trying to retain the same number – but it seems difficult.

Ten years of anti incumbency - failure in air-pollution control, loopholes in the health care system and Yamuna cleaning , irregular development in education–just paying attention to some few schools etc may spoil their chances. Obviously you can’t satisfy the desire and aspiration of the entire APP supporters.

Majority of Auto-wallas and Jhuji-wallis were with AAP – this time there is no guarantee that AAP will get their solid support . Women are prone to many offers this time around. Earlier they supported AAP because of free rides, free water and free bijli.

But this time BJP cleverly declared that all the existing facilities, amenities and benefits of the citizens will continue and in addition to that they have promised more freebies like free education and pocket money.

The interesting part of this election is – from financial help to free services being offered by BJP, Congress and AAP – they all are trying to target different sections of society for their victory. All the parties have announced a series of promises targeting various sections of society including women, poor, students, religious groups, middle class etc.

The Dilli election will take place on Feb 5 and counting is on 8 Feb. 699 candidates are contesting for 70 seats. APP is contesting in all the 70 seats. BJP is contesting in 68 seats – leaving two for allies. Congress is also contesting in many seats. If Congress candidates are strong, BJP candidates have fair chances of winning – otherwise AAP will have the final laugh.

New Delhi is an important Constituency because Arvind Kejriwal is contesting – against BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit . Another limelight is the Kalkaji Constituency – where Atishi (CM) AAP, Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP) and Alka Lamba (Congress ) are in the fray. Atishi’s father Vijay Sir taught us Fascism in Italy & Germany in Delhi University – still lingering in our minds.

A psephologist cum astrologer predicts that BJP is going to win the Dilli election – but he refuses to disclose which election ?