JOIN USSmall debutant party to try its luck now
Marginal parties are gearing up to contest the Delhi elections against big, established ones. One such party Debutante Naya Daur Party is trying its luck in the December 4 elections from Matia Mahal constituency, synonymous with MLA Shoaib Iqbal.
The four-time MLA of Matia Mahal is contesting from Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United.Matia Mahal is a Muslim dominated constituency and every party has kept this in mind while fielding its candidates. Bharatiya Janata Party has placed Nizamuddin and Mirza Javed Ali is contesting from Indian National Congress.
Aam Aadmi Party has deployed Shakeel Anjum and Mohammad Ahmed Saifi and Bashiruddin are contesting as independents.
But Naya Daur Party has fielded Satish from the area, who is confident of a victory. “Elections are not won by caste, creed or religion but by the welfare of people, which is the prime concern of our party,” 37-year-old Satish who runs a catering business says.
Welfare of locals
“We have been working for the welfare of people since 2008. We are contesting on 10 seats and we are confident of a win from Matia Mahal,” party president and cancer surgeon Dr Sanjeev Chhiber says.
On whether Iqbal is a strong contender, Chhiber tells Deccan Herald, “He is amoral. He is known for shifting loyalties. This time voters will choose Naya Daur Party over him.”
Before joining JD-U Iqbal was a Lok Janshakti Party MLA. He was also part of Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal.
What is his secret of winning elections despite which party he is contesting from? “It’s the love of people. They can relate to me as I have done so much for development of the area,” Iqbal says.
About Naya Daur Party, he says, “I don’t give undue attention to such inconsequential parties. Candidates come and go. People even forget their names. They know what is best for them and everyone in the constituency knows me.”
Residents say parties seem more concern about who to nominate for the constituency rather then issues prevalent in the area. Haphazard construction, wires dangling from electricity poles, narrow lanes and bad roads are abound in the constituency.
“Sewers and drains are the main issues of the area. But no party seems interested in addressing these pressing issues,” college student Imran Naqshbandi says.
When one enters the constituency one doesn’t have to give too much thought to find out the issues surrounding Matia Mahal, he adds.
“Women’s safety remains a big concern in this part of the city. Despite multiple promises for stronger laws and better enforcement, nothing has been done to make women feel secure,” government employee Rohini Kuchchu says.
“The streets get deserted at 9 pm in summer and 7 pm in winter. We feel unsafe to step out of the house as there are no police patrols,” she says.
The electorate here seems disgruntled over price rise of basic commodities.
“Every candidate is promising that inflation will come down. But we are tired of listening to these so-called promises. These candidates are visible during elections and after that they are nowhere to find,” homemaker Zareen says.