Nominees rely on kin to woo voters

Sharmishta gets tips from MP brother Abhijit, Sisodia's wife meets local people

The hectic campaign before the February 7 Assembly poll has forced many candidates to seek help from their family members to share the burden.

In some cases, wives, siblings and children of the candidates are doing their bit to help them chase their dream of making it to the Delhi Assembly.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate from Janakpuri constituency Jagdish Mukhi’s wife Prem and son and daughter-in-law support the veteran former legislators at his public meetings.

“Whenever there is a contact programme involving women voters, Mukhi’s wife and daughter-in-law step in,” said a member of Mukhi’s campaign team member.

Congress candidate from Greater Kailash Sharmishta Mukherjee, who is the daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee, is getting valuable tips from her brother Abhijit Mukherjee, MP from Jangipur in West Bengal.

He remains with her during the campaign.
The saffron party’s New Delhi seat nominee Nupur Sharma has got the backing of her businessman father Vinay Sharma and homemaker mother Roopali.

Nupur’s maternal uncle Sunil and aunt Mridula have come down from Dehradun to join her campaign team.

“Nupur’s younger sister Rashi has taken a break from her political science studies to take a few first-hand lessons during her sister’s electioneering,” said a BJP volunteer.

Manish Sisodia, a former Delhi minister and AAP leader, is getting a helping hand from his wife Seema during the campaign in Patparganj constituency.

The homemaker can be seen convincing residents of housing societies in the constituency to repose faith in the broom once again.

“I am new to this,” she said about her political contribution.
For 24-year-old Aaina Gupta, daughter of BJP’s Rohini constituency candidate Vijender Gupta, participation in her father’s campaign is a way of adding to what she learnt at the London School Economics.   

The postgraduate from LSE is contributing to his social media team.
Gupta’s wife Shobha, who herself is a councillor, is contributing to sending media briefs and press releases.

“We have to pool in our resources for a victory in the family,” she said.
“Every hand counts at this hour. I even double up as his secretary and take care of his phone calls when he is busy,” she said.

Vinay Mishra, son of Congress candidate from Dwarka Mahabal Mishra, leads padyatras with his supporters.

“My son is himself a seasoned campaigner. He contested from the Palam seat last time,” said the Congress candidate.

Congress candidate from Kirari Pratyush Kanth is also getting support from his younger brother Gaurang, a lawyer, and bureaucrat relatives who have come down to Delhi from other states.

“We are focused on helping Pratyush record a big win,” said Gaurang, who handles the media brief on behalf of his brother.

In Seelampur constituency, Congress nominee Mateen Ahmed is relying on son Sarwar Choudhary.

“I handle the small corner meetings that need to be organised in the narrow lanes of the congested constituency,” said Sarwar.

Aam Aadmi Party’s Chandni Chowk candidate Alka Lamba is getting valuable support from sisters Sonia and Kanchan, and brother Manav.

Her sisters start the campaign around 9 am every day and move around in congested lanes of the constituency and appeal to traders, with folded hand, to support Lamba.

“We are trying to add to the army of workers that are serving overtime,” said a worker of Lamba.
DH News Service