Maken steps up campaign, supporters expect 'walkover' in New Delhi

The buzz in South Delhi MP Ajay Maken’s team these days is that he has already got a walkover in the April 10 Lok Sabha election. The two-time parliamentarian from New Delhi seat is gradually adding momentum to his election campaign by taking out padyatras.

“People know my name and work. I do not need to present a report card,” said Maken, as he walked through the main road in Malviya Nagar colony in South Delhi.

Dressed in a pair of jeans and a linen shirt, Maken walked past houses and shops, waving at onlookers.

As supporters and local leaders shouted slogans like “Jeetega bhai jeetega, Ajay Maken  jeetega”, the 50-year-old MP shook hands with people who had lined the road.“All I need is your affection,” Maken told an elderly woman.

Hauz Rani councillor Nutan Kochar marched with Maken. She said Maken would visit the Hauz Rani village, dominated by Muslim population, on April  4.

Maken’s campaign managers said the Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party rivals against him were weak. “The Congress has already got a walkover on this seat,” said a supporter.

The Congress leader, who became Speaker of Delhi Assembly at the age of 39, ruled out existence of any wave in favour of the BJP.

“If the BJP is so confident of winning in the elections, why is Modi contesting elections from two seats?” Maken said. “Why is Arun Jaitley not contesting elections from Delhi? Why is going to Punjab to contest?”

The Congress leader’s constituency also includes the Assembly constituency from where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal won in December. He also ruled out any “Kejriwal effect” in the New Delhi constituency. “Kejriwal has not shown his face in the constituency after his victory,” he said.

“Everyone wanted Kejriwal to deliver on his promises. It was unfortunate that rather than fulfilling them, perhaps for his national ambitions, he quit the Delhi government,” Maken said.