In Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, Somnath Bharti faces ire over unauthorised colonies, roads

NEW DELHI: Tucked between the iconic Lal Gumbad and the sprawling campus of IIT Delhi, Malviya Nagar holds a unique position in the capital’s ever-expanding urban landscape.

On a cool morning, a group of locals gather under the shade of trees to discuss the challenges facing their community. As they talk, it’s clear that their frustration runs deep.

From waterlogged streets to crumbling roads, from poor sewage systems to persistent encroachments, it seems as though the infrastructure of Malviya Nagar is slowly suffocating under the weight of urbanization.

The air is thick with disappointment as the residents share their stories.

“Every year, the roads get worse, and when it rains, it’s like the whole street turns into a river,” says Sushil Kumar, a pensioner who has lived in Malviya Nagar for over thirty years, castigating MLA Somnath Bharti.

“I supported AAP because I believed they would bring change, but nothing has improved. They’ve focused on freebies to win votes but ignored the basics. I want BJP to come in and fix this.”

Often overshadowed by its upscale neighbors—Greater Kailash 2 and Saket—this historically rich locality is now finding its voice in the midst of an electoral showdown.

But for the people of Malviya Nagar, the battle isn’t just about the political clash between AAP’s  Bharti, BJP’s Satish Upadhyay, and Congress’s Jitender Kumar Kochar; it’s about the long-unresolved issues that affect their daily lives, issues that no party has quite managed to fix.

At the heart of the constituency lies DDA Park, a meeting ground for many residents who have lived here for decades.

Kumar’s words are echoed by many others who feel the ruling party, despite its success at the state level, has failed to address the pressing needs of local communities.

The once well-maintained roads are now full of potholes, waterlogging is a recurring issue during the monsoon, and sewage problems seem to persist without any meaningful solutions.

For these residents, it’s not about which party promises the most; it’s about finding someone who can provide practical, lasting solutions to these day-to-day struggles.

Fitness trainer and gym freaks slam Somnath

Despite the political drama swirling around the constituency, the people of Malviya Nagar remain focused on one thing: solutions.

Fitness trainer Dharmendra, a resident of Shivalik, shares his own frustrations with the state of the roads and healthcare.

“I ride my bike every day, and the roads are terrible,” he says. “And AAP’s Mohalla Clinics?

They’re good in theory, but the infrastructure isn’t there. We need something like Ayushman Bharat, which is working well in places like Shimla. I think BJP could bring this kind of system to Delhi.”

A Changing Political Landscape

Ankush Gupta, a businessman from Sarvodya Enclave, believes the mood in the locality could shift in favor of the BJP.

“The wave seems to favor BJP because AAP has simply not delivered,” he explains.

“While Somnath Bharti is approachable and has worked on improving security, basic issues like unauthorized colonies and poor sewage systems remain unresolved.

People want action, not just promises. The anti-incumbency sentiment is strong here.”

Gupta’s frustration isn’t just about infrastructure issues—it’s also about the way AAP has handled governance.

Even those who still support Somnath Bharti’s efforts in the constituency question his political strategies.

Sanjay Gupta, a self-employed resident of Malviya Nagar, points to Bharti’s controversial decision to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against Bansuri Swaraj, which many felt was a misstep.

“That decision was poorly planned,” he says. “People want consistency. Now, with BJP in power at the Centre, it gives them an advantage.”

A Leader Under Scrutiny

For all his faults, however, Somnath Bharti remains a formidable force in Malviya Nagar.

He has held the seat for two consecutive terms and, in the 2020 Delhi elections, won with an impressive 57.97% of the vote, defeating BJP’s Shailender Singh by a wide margin.

His approachable demeanor, coupled with his efforts to improve security in the area, has earned him a loyal base of support.

But as the local issues continue to mount, it’s clear that Bharti is facing his toughest challenge yet.

Malviya Nagar’s problems aren’t new—residents have been battling poor infrastructure for years.

Yet as AAP’s popularity has grown across Delhi, especially after their landslide victories in 2015 and 2020, the party’s inability to resolve these persistent issues has begun to overshadow its earlier successes.

Critics argue that AAP’s focus on larger state-level goals has come at the expense of addressing local needs, and now, as the party faces growing criticism, Bharti’s previous victories may not be enough to shield him from the tide of discontent.