The Hindu : New Delhi News : Family running Sandeep show

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 24, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Family running Sandeep show

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, APRIL 23. It is 7 in the morning and the Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha from East Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit, is preparing to embark on his campaign with wife Mona in tow. Today is a crucial day as he is supposed to take a round of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's bastion in East Delhi. With his dedicated band of supporters, Mr. Dikshit leaves for his destination from the AB-17 Mathura Road residence of his mother, the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.

The entire Dikshit family is back in election mode. It was only months ago that the family had got together and worked successfully to ensure the victory of Ms. Dikshit in the Gole Market Assembly constituency. In tune with the requirements of an electoral battle, the family has divided itself into various heads to monitor and run the "war theatre'' set up in Vishwas Nagar and in the house for chalking out the strategy and making plans accordingly. "I have left it to the kids and family members. They are strongly backed by party workers and the MLAs who are more aware about the ground realities. I will go to the constituency whenever I am required,'' remarks Ms. Dikshit, while listening to an intense discussions taking place inside the house.

A leading newspaper group has ranked Ms. Dikshit as the No.1 Chief Minister in the country and that is the topic of the debate here now.

Ms. Dikshit's sister, Rama, is taking care of behind-the-scene operations related to the East Delhi constituency. This includes settling squabbles among various groups, putting the right kind of people in charge of campaigning in a particular area and coordinating the ground operations.

Mr. Dikshit's other sister, Latika, is coordinating the mobilisation of men and material behind the scenes and is yet to jump into active campaigning. She along with her aunt, Rama Dhawan, makes a quick assessment of the crowd response and the measures that need to be taken to rectify any adverse situation. The other aunt, Pamela, is moving out in the constituency and canvassing support for her nephew along with some other close relatives and friends.

Soon Mr. Dikshit leaves along with his wife for the Karawal Nagar Assembly constituency to undertake a mass-contact programme. In this endeavour, the senior Congress leader, Hasan Ahmed, the Councillor, Jagdish Pradhan, and the Gujjar leader, Jile Singh, join him. Moving along in an open `rath' mounted on a tempo- traveller, Mr. Dikshit waves to the crowds that gather along the route.

The response is satisfying if not overwhelming in this opposition stronghold. The Congress flags, buntings and banners are seen all along the route and people wave at the young candidate.

"I was born and brought up in Delhi. I have the head office of my NGO, Sanket, in Delhi and my activities are based here. The BJP had even labelled my mother as an outsider and now they are doing the same to me. However, this will not stick with the electorate and they would give a befitting reply to such forces,'' remarks Mr. Dikshit.

His wife, waving at the crowds and happy at the response, keeps a close watch on the response from the people in order to give a feedback and suggest possible steps to fine-tune the situation.

Mr. Dikshit returns home for a late lunch at 3 p.m. and then again is back on the trail at 3.45 p.m. He first visits the Babarpur Assembly constituency along with local MLA, Vinay Sharma. Later, he takes a round of the Congress stronghold, Geeta Colony, on his `rath' along with the Finance Minister, A.K. Walia. The response is extraordinary. The later part of the evening is loaded with corner meetings and interactive sessions with various groups.

However, the major responsibility for the entire campaign has been thrust on the party MLAs and Councillors of East Delhi. Apart from this, all efforts are being made to give a prominent role to party workers in the whole affair.

A close watch is kept on those indulging in mischief or potential troublemakers who could work against the interests of the party and the candidate.

The Chief Minister has decided not to campaign out of the way in the East Delhi constituency and would only make a routine round.

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