Young blood, but can they deliver?

They may be young but their objectives are high. None of these ‘youngest’ candidates contesting for the upcoming MCD elections are sparing any efforts to woo their electrorate. They are making sure that their voices are heard like veterans of the political scene.

We always had the idea that the average entry age in Indian politics is generally 50, but, this MCD election seems to have changed this norm too.

The youngest candidate from the Congress party, Harish Chaudhary is just 22 years. He is contesting from Jiwanpur ward in north-east Delhi and has even stood for the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) election last year but had lost by a few votes under National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) - the youth wing of Congress. While speaking to Metrolife, Harish shared, “I want to serve my people of the nation. I want to work for the welfare of my area. This is my only motive for coming in politics. Harish who is working hard in his campaigning and going door to door said, “There are problems everywhere and one has to face them. I know I am young and there will be various issues in the future. But, I am ready to face it.”

There are more such in the list. The youngest woman candidate of the Congress party contesting in this election is Faujiya Khatoon. Also in the league of 22 year olds, Faujiya is a teacher in a primary school and contesting from Kardampuri in north-east Delhi. She also seconds Harish and said, “I want to work for the society, for its upliftment.” On asking about her decision to join politics at such a young age. She clarifies, “My favourite subject during my college days was Political Science and that interest has brought me to where I am today.” It will surely be a fire test for several young guns from various parties in so-called tough seats in MCD’s April 15 polls.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate from Turkman Gate, Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, who is also 22, aims to provide better services to his area. Aaley, a college dropout from Amity, said the people in his area know him well enough to cast their votes, “My father Shoaib Iqbal has been representing this area in Delhi Assembly for the past 20 years and my uncle is the sitting councillor but I have my own personality. To be backed by a political family is an advantage but I have responsibilities and still need to prove myself.” But does he think he will be taken seriously by his voters? “People are intelligent enough to understand their leaders. They know that youth has a new thought and different perspective to everything. They want to see the change through us.”

BJP announced its 272 candidates for the municipal polls amid haggling for tickets on the last day of filing nominations. One of their candidates is Ankita Saini, again  22,  and contesting from Hauz Khas in South Delhi is the youngest candidate of the party.

Ankita who has studied international marketing in Canada and French at Alliance Francaise, said her agenda is improving education and cleanliness in the area. “It’s not just a designation for me. It’s a social platform for me where I can volunteer and socialise with people of my area. I want to educate people about who they can go to with their problems related to civic issues and law and order problems.”