JOIN USThe lanes old Delhi were bit deserted and shops were almost closed on Sunday.
But residents did not prefer to remain at home. Women in veils and men in white kurtas thronged the zig zag lanes of the Walled City to cast their votes at nearest polling stations.
Till 11 am, few people were seen visiting various polling booths; however, their number increased post afternoon. While many people poured in with a hope of development in the area, a few said price rise of household items was the biggest issue.
While casting her vote at Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya outside Jama Masjid, Misha Khatoon said, “I have come here to exercise my power to vote and I want development in our area. The lanes are always dirty with garbage all around. We are living with this for the last five years.”
Similarly, Masoor Alam at Anglo Arabic Senior Secondary School, said there was no development in the area. “MCD officials along with police officials allow illegal construction in the our area, which have made it cluttered with builders encroaching parts of roads.
This has to be stopped.”
Homemakers who came to cast their votes said increasing prices of household items is their major concern. Hameeda Begum, who came to Kinara Bazar at Baraf Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, said this is not the first she was casting her vote.
“It’s the fourth time. Every time I hoped there will be some relief to to us. Price rise of household items has never stopped. When will it happen that we can have a proper meal at home? I have again came with same hope.”
While party members were trying to woo voters coming at booths, many of them turned a blind eye to them and entered to vote with determined looks. They went silent, saying they know whom to vote for.
Youngsters also came at polling stations with the hope of seeing change.
Salim Qureshi said he came to vote, hoping that the person whom he supported will at least look after problems of cleanliness in the area.
“Our lane is always dirty. Despite repeated attempts, MCD officials hardly send someone. I hope the new corporator will look into this.”
On G B Road, sex workers were not seen at polling booths. “A few of them came to vote early in the morning,” said a police officer on G B Road.