The Hindu : New Delhi News : Figure `13' ditches Vajpayee, lucky for Sandeep

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Figure `13' ditches Vajpayee, lucky for Sandeep

By Our Staff Reporter

Congress candidate from East Delhi Sandeep Dikshit with his aunt Rama Dhavan after the declaration of election results. Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI, MAY 13. The so-called lucky figure of 13 failed to click for the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this time; but it certainly did wonders for Sandeep Dikshit, the Congress candidate from the East Delhi constituency who scored an emphatic victory over his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and three time MP from the seat, Lal Bihari Tiwari.

"This time, figure 13 failed to help Mr. Vajpayee. In fact, it is Mr. Dikshit who has gained from it. Incidentally, Mr. Dikshit was the 13th candidate to file the nomination for the East Delhi constituency to ensure the return of the Congress in the constituency after 13 years. And May 13 is the best day to get this task accomplished," reasoned the ecstatic supporters Mr. Dikshit who led from the very first round and continued to further consolidate his victory margin after each round of counting.

While Mr. Tiwari was accompanied by only a handful of his supporters, Mr. Dikshit was being cheered by his "mausi", Rama Dhawan, and three MLAs from the area - Narendra Nath, Meira Bhardwaj and Amrish Gautam. But it was Ms. Dhawan and Mr. Nath who were keeping the tab of all the counting process. Mr. Dikshit's wife, Mona, was also present at the centre to cheer her husband and party workers.

In the afternoon when it became evident that Mr. Dikshit's victory was certain, Mr. Tiwari left the counting centre stating that "he accepted the people's verdict with full humility and would continue to work for the people in his constituency." However, the Dikshit family, sans another important member of the family, the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, continued to stay there till 5-20 p.m. when the final result was announced.

Throughout the day, both Mr. Dikshit and Ms. Dhawan were busy talking over their mobile phones thanking people for ensuring the party impressive win not only in the East Delhi segment but also in the entire Capital as well as in nation.

And after the official announcement of the victory, the entire area where counting was being held was virtually taken over by the jubilant Congress workers bursting crackers and distributing sweets before setting off for the victory lap in the constituency.

"I want to thank my voters to have avenged the loss of my mother in 1996 elections from this very seat. This is victory of my mother and her tremendous work in the Capital. I will follow her footsteps and work tirelessly for the people here," vowed Mr. Dikshit.

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