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Politicians scramble for Chhat Puja vote bank

Staff Reporter

Hectic activity on the Poorvanchal front

NEW DELHI: Aware of the potential of the Poorvanchal vote bank to turn the tide, political leaders in the Capital cutting across party lines have been making a beeline to the Chhat Puja ghats along the Yamuna in an attempt to garner support of the community and mark their presence for the big occasion.

Interestingly, a struggle has erupted within the ruling Congress to grab credit for the Chhat celebrations and arrangements.

Leading from the front is Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who undertook a whistle-stop tour of the Chhat ghats across the city along with the Development Minister, Raj Kumar Chauhan, and the Member of Parliament from East Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit. The presence of the young Mr. Dikshit along with his mother, the Chief Minister, and also individually at various other points during the Chhat Puja celebrations had tongues wagging with many claiming that he was being projected as the leader of the Poorvanchal community which has a large presence in his parliamentary constituency. Interestingly, even Ms. Dikshit claims that she is from the Poorvanchal area.

The launch of Poorvanchal Kranti Sangh has suddenly led to hectic activity on the Poorvanchal front. However, unlike in previous years, Ms. Dikshit did not undertake a pre-Chhat Puja tour of the ghats to inspect the arrangements, leading to allegations that the Delhi Government was indifferent to the welfare of this community that constitutes nearly 40 per cent of the vote bank in Delhi. It was only after Poorvanchal leader and Nasirpur MLA Mahabal Mishra made a noise about inadequate arrangements by the Delhi Government for the Chhat celebrations that the Government swung into action.

. Not one to miss the occasion, Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan along with certain other party leaders also visited various ghats.

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