JOIN USBandana Kumari of Aam Aadmi Party emerged as a giant killer in 2013 Delhi Assembly elections by defeating three-time MLA Ravinder Nath Bansal of the BJP from Shalimar Bagh constituency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had never lost Assembly polls from this bastion since 1993 — the year the constituency came into existence. But the social activist was able to cash in on the AAP fever. This 40-year-old politician tells Avinash Singh Sudan that her Aam Aadmi Party will retain the Shalimar seat.
You think the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to counter you by fielding a woman candidate this time from Shalimar Bagh?
They can do whatever they feel like doing, but the people will vote for the one who has been working for the development of their area.
The BJP has pitched a sitting woman councillor from the area.
Everybody knows about the BJP’s councillors and the municipal corporations. People know about the rampant corruption in the MCD. The councillors demand money from doing everything.
Do you feel nervous this time due to the ongoing Modi wave?
There is no Modi wave in Delhi. Unki hawa nikal gayi hai pichhle chhey mahino mein (He has lost ground in the last six months).
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for that party which aims to bring development in the area. We have constructed toilets in slum cluster in block A that did not have a toilet for over 30 years.
The AAP has opened toilets in jhuggi jhopri clusters in Indira Camp and Ekta Camp where public toilets have been closed for over three years. We have done so much work in the constituency that people will automatically vote for us.
How did you manage to win last elections?
It was the common man who won the 2013 Delhi Assembly polls. The common man helped the Aam Aadmi Party win the last year’s elections. We won because we highlighted issues affecting the common man. And this time also, the common man will win.
What are the issues affecting the constituency?
Our main aim is to get the area rid of MCD officials’ corrupt practices. MCD officials often take bribes and harass street vendors.
How are you campaigning?
I am doing door-to-door campaign, meeting almost every voter personally.
So you think the AAP will form government this time?
Last year, when the media predicted that the AAP will get only eight to 10 seats, the party secured 28 seats. And now, the surveys are showing that the AAP will get over 35 seats. So you can only understand how many seats we will get! (laughs).