The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sajjan targets Sikh votes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sajjan targets Sikh votes

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29. It is 7-30 a.m. and the Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha from Outer Delhi, Sajjan Kumar, is well aware that it is a crucial day for him in his election campaign. He is visiting the Vishnu Garden Assembly segment, an area dominated by the Sikh community. More than the votes, it is his acceptability among the Sikhs and the response he gets here that will matter and send the right signal.

Accompanied by a large number of his supporters with a security guard in tow, Mr. Kumar mounts his black Scorpio jeep to reach out to the people. Interestingly, the former Finance Minister, Mahinder Singh Saathi, and the Councillor, Abha Chaudhary, accompany Mr. Kumar and try to keep pace with the fast strides of the Congress candidate. Members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee and prominent Sikh leaders are lined up to welcome Mr. Kumar in the constituency and all arrangements have been put in place. His schedule includes a visit to the Khyala village and areas like Keshopur, Chand Nagar, Major Bhupinder Singh Nagar and various localities of the Vishnu Garden constituency. As soon as he reaches the constituency, Mr. Kumar disembarks from his Scorpio and starts walking past the various localities with folded hands seeking support from the electorate. Slogans are raised in his favour and he is welcomed at various places with garlands and flowers. There is hardly any trace of "ill-will" or hatred among the Sikhs during his campaign and a beaming Mr. Kumar seeks the cooperation of the Sikh community to see him through in the May 10 polls.

Not the one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Kumar concedes that there is also a "silent sympathy wave" in his favour as the electorate of Outer Delhi feel that he had been denied the party ticket time and again for no reason. Visiting the various villages, he does not miss an opportunity to remind the people about the failure of his BJP rival, Sahib Singh Verma, to work for the welfare of the people of the rural areas. He debunks the argument that it is a fight between two Jats. "The Outer Delhi constituency has a vast presence of people from various sections and communities and I have their support. The response from them has been tremendous and this would be reflected in the final analysis," he asserts. He also talks about problems faced by women in the villages and does not fail to mention the betrayal by Mr. Verma and the BJP-led Central Government in regularisation of unauthorised colonies.

At many places, Mr. Kumar stops to address small corner meetings. He accuses the BJP of exploiting the sentiments of the Sikh community and promises to work for their welfare and development after being elected to Parliament. Without a trace of being exhausted, Mr. Kumar moves on at a fast pace. A glassful of lassi and milk are enough to keep him going. Known for keeping his time schedule, Mr. Kumar moves to the adjoining Hastsal Assembly constituency where the Congress MLA, Mukesh Sharma, welcomes him. His schedule in this Jat dominated area includes a visit to the Hiran Kutala, Baprola and Bakarwala villages, considered to be strongholds of the Congress. In fact, Hastsal has been won by the Congress during the last three Assembly polls by impressive margins and Mr. Kumar hopes that this performance would improve further during the May 10 Lok Sabha polls.

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