The Hindu : New Delhi News : Campaigning gathers momentum for Assembly by-polls

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Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Campaigning gathers momentum for Assembly by-polls

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 29. The tempo of campaigning for the upcoming October 13 by-elections to the two Delhi Assembly constituencies of Rajouri Garden and Baljit Nagar (SC) has gained momentum with the candidates of both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress stepping up their attempts to woo the voters. Early indications show the Congress in a comfortable position as both the constituencies are considered its strongholds.

Although division within the rank and file and factionalism at various levels has come to the fore, the two by-elections will once again prove to be an acid test for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The outcome would test her popularity levels and provide an insight into the satisfaction levels of the people vis-à-vis the good governance slogan. For the Congress party, Ms. Dikshit -- who has already addressed meetings in both the constituencies -- is leading the campaigning. On the other hand, the other star campaigner for the Rajouri Garden seat is the sitting Member of Parliament from New Delhi, Ajay Maken, who enjoys a good rapport with the people.

The Congress nominee from here, Ramesh Lamba, is considered close to Mr. Maken and is likely to win with a comfortable margin in view of the weak opposition. The withdrawal of Avantika Maken, daughter of Lalit Maken, from the polls fray has further consolidated the position of Mr. Lamba.

"We are going to win by a comfortable margin. The people of the constituency know that only the Congress under the leadership of Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, can provide leadership and direction to the country.

The Sheila Dikshit Government has also done a marvellous job and the good work done by the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre will work in our favour,'' said Mr. Maken, who has been shuttling between Maharashtra and Delhi, as he is in-charge of elections in Vidarbha region of the State.

On the other hand, the election campaign of the Congress candidate from Baljit Nagar (SC), Rajesh Lilothia, has also picked up. Mr. Lilothia is concentrating on door-to-door contact with the electorate instead of addressing large-scale meetings or rallies. Faced with lot of factionalism and some opposition from the sitting Member of Parliament from Karol Bagh (SC), Krishna Tirath, the Congress candidate has done well to take into confidence all the leading local leaders of the area and present them as part of his campaign. It is to the credit of Mr. Lilothia that he has visited all the local Congressmen personally and impressed upon them to work unitedly to defeat the BJP.

``I am for personal contact with the people of my constituency. I have to send a message that even after the elections, I will be available to them personally. I will take care of their needs and daily problems. I have a dream for the constituency and would give it a firm shape once I am in the Vidhan Sabha,'' remarked a confident Mr. Lilothia.

As for the BJP, the campaign is low key as factionalism has also played a major role here also. A number of senior party leaders are staying away from the party's campaign for the two seats.

The party, which is in the midst of organisational polls, is sharply divided and hardly looks in a mood to even give a decent fight.

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