The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Accessible' Maken wakes up Lajpat Nagar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Accessible' Maken wakes up Lajpat Nagar

By Mandira Nayar

The Congress candidate for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, Ajay Maken, campaigning in his constituency on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI, APRIL 27. Residents of one of the "ignored" colonies in the New Delhi parliamentary constituency, Lajpat Nagar III, were woken up to the fresh sound of "change'' when the Congress candidate, Ajay Maken, came calling the other morning. As women peeked out of their windows to smile indulgently and wave at Mr. Maken on his campaign trail, men ran to shake hands with him. Resentful at being neglected for too long, the main grouse of the residents here against the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Jagmohan, is that he is "inaccessible". "He is unreachable. He might be a good man, but he has done nothing for us. He keeps talking about walking to Vaishno Devi. Why doesn't he just come to Lajpat Nagar III instead?'' asks Vinod Sethi.

However, walking through the streets to the beat of loud drums, Mr. Maken finds himself at ease and seems to have no problem connecting with the people. Stopping to smile at women or embracing old men to seek their blessing, he certainly seems to have created a good impression.

"I have been living in this colony for years and my family has always voted for the BJP. But I think I will shift alliances now. We are quite disillusioned with the BJP. Nothing has been done for us. The `nullah', which Mr. Jagmohan promised to cover when he first stood for elections years ago, is still open and stinking. One girl fell into it and died a few years back, still nothing was done. I am happy to meet Mr. Maken, he is such a soft-spoken man and so approachable'' says another resident.

Interestingly, while residents are angry at Mr. Jagmohan's apparent apathy for their locality, he still enjoys a great deal of respect in the area. "He is a good man. He has a clean image, but he is also getting on in age. There are many learned people in the area who would rather vote for the candidate more than the party. There has been no strong Congress candidate from this area in the past. But we think Mr. Maken is a good choice. He enjoys a clean image and we are willing to support him since we have high hopes from him,'' said a Resident Welfare Association representative.

"Overwhelmed" at the response he has got in a residential colony like Lajpat Nagar III, Mr. Maken believes that he has an edge over his opponent. "The BJP suffers from a major incumbency factor in this area; the local Corporator, MLA as well as MP are from the BJP. Being young, I also enjoy an advantage. The youth always get drawn to the campaign,'' remarks Mr. Maken.

But while Mr. Maken's popularity was evident in the middle-class colony of Lajpat Nagar, his next brief stop at Yamuna Pushta was probably not as successful. In the midst of demolitions, residents in the area were disillusioned with politicians and governments. While the sentiments againt Mr. Jagmohan, whom they blame for the loss of livelihood and home, was very strong, it is unclear whether they will actually vote to defeat him. "The BJP has broken down our houses, but at least they are offering land. The Congress failed to protect us. Why should we vote for them?'' asks an angry resident.

However, the Congress also enjoys a strong base in the area. With die-hard voters always choosing the "panja'', the Congress workers believe that they will pull through. But for those who are undecided, the endless wait for relocation, might deter them from voting. "I don't even know whether I will be here to cast my vote. How does it matter?'' a woman rues.

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