JOIN USSouth Delhi residents vote for change
Vote for change was the motto for residents in some south Delhi areas during the municipal polls on Sunday.
Police officials claimed they had never seen such a huge turn-out of senior citizens and women during municipal elections. “I have never seen women from Garhi village come out to vote. This has come as a shock. Since morning we have seen more women than men,” said a police officer at the polling booth in Government Boy’s Secondary School in Garhi.
Women say they hope for a better change because they believe in the women candidates who are contesting elections. “I would not have been this excited about voting. I am sure that whoever wins will work to ensure better facilities because she will understand our issues,” said Sunita Parekh, resident of Gari village.
One of the polling booths in Lajpat Nagar witnessed a blend of senior citizens and middle-aged groups. “My vote counts and I am sure that we will witness a positive change gradually,” said Kuldeep Soukhi, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.
Though the youth turn-out seemed less till afternoon in these areas, those who had cast their votes hoped to become a part of corporation some day.
“I am not sure why have youngsters not participated this year but it is essential for us to understand that we are the future. If we do not participate we will not be able to bring about a change and enter the system,” said 23-year-old Prerna Bhateja from Dayanand Colony.
However, polling officers in Lajpat Nagar said they do not see a change compared to last polls in 2007. “There is a change but we were expecting a better turn-out,” said R C Sharma and Vandana Guglani.
On the other hand, Jamia Nagar residents voted for better amenities and sanitation. “Like last year, I have come here to vote so that we get better civic amenities. I hope the new system brings some change in our ward,” said Nazrin Ahmed from Jamia Nagar.
But, polling officers at the Jamia Nagar polling booth number 23 expressed unhappiness over low turn-out of youngsters. “We were expecting at least 55 per cent turn-out but youngsters have not turned up to vote,” said Vasanti, a polling officer who works with the Ministry of Communications.
Polling officers and police officials expressed amazement at the turn-out seen at the polling booth in Kautilya Government Bal Sarvodaya Vidyalaya. Wealthy residents of Greater Kailash and Hemkunt colony were seen getting off from BMW's and Honda City's to vote for change.
“We must realise that this is not just another holiday. This is how we can secure a better future for the coming generations. We must exercise our right for a better change,” said Sunil Shakdher, a resident of GK-II.
For Rekha Chawla, a resident of GK-I, messages circulated through Blackberry Messenger helped her get out of the house just to vote. “All my friends decided to vote. We started getting messages on our BBMs around 15 days ago which encouraged us to come out and vote. People were lazy in south Delhi till some years ago. This is the first time I am voting despite staying here for over 15 years,” she said.
‘Voting for Sheila’
How many people knew the name of the candidate they voted for in Sunday’s municipal elections in the national capital? Very few it seems, at least in the upper and middle class colonies and societies.
Many either voted for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit or were die-hard Bharatiya Janata Party supporters from whom candidates where mere names .
At one south Delhi colony, many women had no idea about the contesting candidates. “I don't know who the candidates are. I just know that I am voting for Sheila. She has single handedly changed the face of Delhi,” said 40-year-old homemaker Usha Singh.
Sukhbir Kumar, a chartered accountant, just nodded when he was told by his neighbour to vote for “lotus” - the BJP symbol. But, he was heard speaking aloud: “I am a Sheila fan. I am voting for the hand (Congress symbol). I have no clue about the candidates.
But whatever development we have seen in the city is courtesy her (Dikshit).”
If Dikshit's magic is to be relied upon, then this time Delhi could see a civic body ruled by the Congress. The MCD is currently ruled by the BJP.