Final Campaign Frenzy Grips Delhi Constituencies
New Delhi witnessed an electrifying conclusion to campaigning on Friday as both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party made their final appeals to voters in the high-stakes MCD bypolls. The constituencies of Greater Kailash-I and Sangam Vihar transformed into vibrant hubs of political activity, with door-to-door mobilization reaching its peak intensity ahead of Sunday's crucial polling.
Greater Kailash-I: Youth vs Experience Battle
In the upscale Greater Kailash-I constituency, the political drama unfolded with particular intensity. The Aam Aadmi Party pinned its hopes on Eshna Gupta, the 24-year-old youngest candidate in the entire bypoll contest for 12 MCD seats. Gupta positioned herself as a local voice deeply connected to the area's ground realities, receiving significant support from former minister Saurabh Bhardwaj.
Bhardwaj campaigned extensively for Gupta, marking AAP's determined effort to reclaim the seat he had lost to BJP's Shikha Roy in the assembly elections held earlier this year. The party sought to revive its earlier dominance in the area by projecting Gupta as a familiar face who has grown up observing the constituency's evolving landscape.
Eshna Gupta outlined an ambitious reform agenda centered on waste management, conservation of open spaces, and combating air pollution. Among her most notable promises was the introduction of a local app designed to help residents register and track complaints in real time, addressing long-standing civic issues.
Cross-State Support and BJP Counteroffensive
Adding an interesting dimension to the campaign, AAP workers not only from Delhi but even from Telangana participated in the campaign efforts in Zamrudpur. Vijay Reddy, AAP's Telangana youth wing president, joined in support of his colleague, emphasizing that "She is the daughter of GK and is familiar with ground realities."
The BJP mounted a strong counteroffensive with New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj campaigning vigorously for their candidate, Anjum Mandal, a social worker and entrepreneur. Swaraj led multiple rallies, adding considerable heft to the party's spirited last-day outreach. The recent inauguration of a new parking facility in GK-I reportedly boosted the party's standing among local traders.
Hemant Walia, president of GK-I market federation, expressed support for the BJP, stating, "Building the parking lot shows BJP's commitment in making our area better."
Sangam Vihar: Battleground for Basic Amenities
Meanwhile, Sangam Vihar mirrored the high-energy atmosphere of GK-I, with its narrow lanes swarming with supporters from both parties. AAP candidate Anuj Sharma campaigned in the inner clusters, where children chased drifting pamphlets and residents voiced their long-standing concerns about inadequate infrastructure.
In Sangam Vihar's G Block, Anupam Singh, a grocery store owner, captured the prevailing sentiment: "Whoever wins must improve the poor condition of the inner roads of our constituency. We are a village in the heart of the city in need of basic amenities."
The BJP mounted a strong presence with PWD minister Parvesh Verma and Ram Singh Bidhuri attending roadshows alongside candidate Shubhrajeet Gautam. Verma expressed confidence in his party's prospects, asserting, "The public sentiment is clearly in favour of us, not just in Sangam Vihar, but also in Dakshinpuri. The party will win both the seats."
The political significance of Sangam Vihar was underscored by recent history - in February, BJP's Chandan Kumar Chowdhary, originally elected councillor from Sangam Vihar-A ward by a margin of 344 votes against AAP's Dinesh Mohaniya, went on to win the assembly seat.
Last-Minute Persuasion Tactics
With hyperlocal promises and targeted messaging reaching their peak, both constituencies became energetic centers of last-minute persuasion. The intense campaigning featured a mix of traditional door-to-door outreach and modern political strategies, reflecting the high stakes involved in these municipal bypolls.
As Sunday's polling approaches, both parties have deployed their senior leadership and grassroots workers in a final attempt to sway undecided voters. The outcome in these twelve MCD seats could have significant implications for the political landscape of India's capital city.
