NEW DELHI: The ruling AAP is facing trouble in the Delhi Cantonment area. However, the election results may still hold surprises. While speaking with The New Indian, several local residents stated that the main issue was the lack of clean drinking water and that the Congress candidate was the most popular among them.
Krishan Rohilla said that AAP had not done any groundwork in terms of development and, therefore, lacked a strong base in the area.
“Kiran Chaudhary from Congress made efforts to provide drinking water in the area. It was made available, but AAP later disconnected it. Now, we are suffering,” Rohilla said.
Mahesh Chand stated that he had witnessed the drinking water crisis since birth.
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“Congress candidate Upmanyu has a stronghold in the area. We want a local like him to be our MLA. Those who are not locals disappear after winning the election,” Chand said.
Yash, another local resident, said they were not receiving clean drinking water, which was their biggest concern.
“The water we get is worse than sewer water. We can’t even bathe with it,” he said, adding that Congress candidate Upmanyu was the most popular among residents.
Manish Gupta, who runs an electronics shop, said that everything in the area was fine.
“Since this area is controlled by the Cantonment Board, we abide by its rules. The MCD has no role here. Yes, we cannot carry out construction, which is a problem. Our houses are on lease, not freehold,” Gupta explained.
Ravinder, who runs a samosa shop, said that apart from the drinking water issue, there were no other major problems in the area.
“The Congress candidate is the most famous in my area,” he said.
Gurpreet, a young voter, said that drinking water was their only concern. “We haven’t got a gas pipeline in the civil area. As of now, it is only available in the army area,” he added.
Sandeep Kumar claimed that BJP candidate Bhuvan was the most popular among residents. “The fight is between AAP and BJP; Congress is nowhere in the fray,” he said.
Sardar S. P. Singh stated that AAP had not done anything in the entire cantonment area and that the real contest was between BJP and Congress.
“I’m not saying this is just my opinion. People are saying AAP is losing. In Sadar Bazar, everyone will vote for Congress because its candidate, Upmanyu, is local and well-known,” Singh said.
He asserted that in Sadar Bazar (Delhi Cantt), people would not vote for AAP.
