New Delhi: As Kalkaji remained a high-profile battleground in Wednesday’s voting, with three political heavyweights locked up in a nail-biter, Rakesh Mishra, a local priest from predicted a loss for the sitting CM Atishi, who had replaced Arvind Kejriwal last year after Supreme Court’s bail conditions.
“It’s going to be close, but I believe Ramesh Bidhuri has an edge here. Atishi will be defeated by a narrow margin—around 5,000 votes,” said Mishra.
“Overall, BJP will secure more than 40 seats in Delhi this time,” he predicted
Despite the intense competition, Kalkaji’s election remains one of the most-watched as political fortunes shift in Delhi. The New Indian had been surveying this seat for last three weeks. Some of the reports are mentioned below
While Atishi was working hard to defend its stronghold, the BJP and Congress were pushing hard to challenge the status quo.
While concerns about freebies are prevalent, others believe that AAP’s welfare schemes give it an edge among certain voters.
Acharya Sanjay Sharma, an astrologer and face reader, predicted that the AAP might still hold an advantage with its social programs but he said people now desperately want a change..
“People want change, but they also appreciate the welfare schemes Kejriwal has rolled out over the years,” he said.
Polling Day: A Snapshot from the Heart of Kalkaji
The team from The New Indian visited a bustling polling booth at Pratibha School, B Block, Kalkaji, on Election Day. It was here that Atishi herself cast her vote, following a brief visit to the revered Kalkaji Mandir to seek blessings. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had set up an efficient voting process, which most residents acknowledged as smooth and well-organized.
Ravinder Saluja, a local from C Block, shared his perspective on the election preparations:
“We face different problems in various colonies, like cleanliness and traffic. Roads, especially around Nehru Place Chowk, are still under construction, which has been an ongoing issue for some time,” said Saluja.
A retired army officer’s wife, emphasized the power of voting but pointed out that she was satisfied with her government-provided facilities, which included access to healthcare. “I’ve been taken care of because of my background, but for the common citizen, the issues are different,” she said.
Voters’ Concerns: Governance, Development, and Freebies
Many residents raised concerns about governance, development, and the contentious culture of “freebies” that have come to dominate Delhi’s political discourse. CS Mathur and his wife Madhulika, both former residents of Kalkaji, now living in Hauz Khas, spoke candidly about their discontent.
“We all know the problems of Delhi—Yamuna pollution, garbage dumping, and rampant corruption,” Mathur said.
“And the freebies? They’re a misuse of taxpayers’ money. They’re not reaching the people who really need help. We need a government that focuses on real change, not handouts.”
Madhulika echoed his sentiments: “It’s wrong. Freebies might help a few, but it’s not the answer. Taxpayer money should be used for proper development, not for making promises we can’t afford.”
On the other hand, Santosh Sharma, a traditional Hindu woman above 45, voiced her preference for the BJP, citing dissatisfaction with the ruling AAP government.
“We want development, not freebies. Kejriwal hasn’t delivered on that front,” she said. “The preparations inside the polling booth were smooth, and security was top-notch. We are voting for Modi, and we expect a change in leadership.”
