Same neta, new party: Turncoats remind voters of their new symbols

In the last two days of campaigning, the focus of the turncoats in the fray is on reminding people of their new party’s election symbol against which they have to press the button on the electronic voting machines on February 7.

Some of the candidates say public is already aware of their transition to other parties, while others are conducting rallies and meeting the electorate to make sure that people get acquainted with their new election symbols.

A few of them are confident that people know them by face and there is no chance that they will vote for their former parties.

Supporters of Vinod Kumar Binny, who is contesting from Patparganj constituency as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, said they have been pasting posters to spread awareness among the masses that jhadu is no longer his party symbol.

“We have been canvassing for Binnyji wearing saffron caps and holding BJP flags. We think, now, people know him as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate,” said a volunteer.

Binny, 41, said he has been busy conducting padyatras across the Patparganj constituency.
“I have been holding rallies and meeting the electorate of the area so I don’t think they will vote for my previous party (Aam Aadmi Party) instead of the BJP,” said Binny while carrying out a padyatra to Mayur Vihar Phase II.

Meanwhile, former Union minister Krishna Tirath, a woman candidate who recently joined the BJP-fold, says the electorate of Patel Nagar constituency is already aware of her switch to the saffron party.

“Everybody knows that I have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. People have seen on TV or read about it in newspapers,” Tirath told Deccan Herald.

Asked if she was facing any problem convincing the masses about her new party’s election symbol, Tirath said, “No, I am not facing any problem at all. They all know the symbol of the BJP.”
‘No confusion’

“There is no chance that people will confuse me with the Congress party anymore,” she added.
Another such candidate contesting these Assembly elections is former Aam Aadmi Party MLA Maninder Singh Dhir who has been pitched again from Jangpura constituency, but on a BJP ticket this time.

Dhir said people know him by face.
 “It’s been a year that I have been working with the people for the development of the area,” says Dhir.

“I am an established person now so there is no chance for a mistake,” he adds.
When asked how is he spreading awareness among the electorate, Dhir said, “We have been holding janta sabhas and meeting voters.

 They know me that I am from the BJP.”
Even Ashok Chauhan who had defeated Chaudhary Prem Singh from Ambedkar Nagar in the last Assembly elections said his switch to the BJP will not change his poll prospects at all.

“I have brought my vote bank with me,” said Chauhan who is pitched against Congress’ Chaudhary Prem Singh from Ambedkar Nagar as a BJP candidate.
DH News Service