Karol Bagh residents hope for end to perennial water woes

Karol Bagh assembly constituency, located in main Delhi, is well-known as a commercial hub  with scores of shopping centres. Malls, big showrooms, smaller shops, jewellers and street stalls have spilled over to several areas like Padam Singh Road, Gurudwara Road, Beadonpura in recent times. Although the area emerged as a commercial entity in past few years, it was primarily residential with a large Muslim population until the exodus of many Muslims to Pakistan and an influx of refugees from West Punjab. Now there is a mixed population of nearly 2.25 lakh including Bengali, Tamil and others too.

The constituency earlier a BJP stronghold, was won by Vishesh Ravi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate, in a direct fight with three-time MLA of BJP Surendra Pal Ratawal during the 2013 polls. This time it is set for a triangular contest as the three major political parties are pulling out all stops. 

Aam Aam Aadmi Party has retained Vishesh and the Congress pins its hopes on Madan Khorwal who had secured third position last time. By announcing the candidature of Yogendra Chandolia, sitting mayor of north MCD, BJP is determined reclaim its lost bastion.

Though the constituency is located in the middle of the city and regarded as a posh area, there are unresolved issues related to water and civic infrastructure. The constituency, which has more than two lakh voters, gets water only once day in the wee hours, and people are often forced to buy water from the market. Many voters in the constituency are accusing the BJP’s Surendra Pal Ratawal of being insensitive over issue. They allege that when they approach their MLA to supply clean and regular water, he expresses helplessness.

Residents of Bapa Nagar, which is represented by BJP Councillor Yogesh Chandolia, allege that when they visit the MLA for redressal of their grievances, he retorts that they did not vote for him. “Ratawal tells us, I did not win from Bapa Nagar. I won from Paharganj,” said a resident of Bapa Nagar. While visiting the area, it has also been found that in Chuna Mandi and Multani Dhandha of Paharganj, which was clubbed with Karol Bagh seat after delimitation, not many people know or have heard of the MLA. They, however, sounded satisfied with the work of BJP councillor Virender Babbar and may still vote for the saffron party. “I have never approached the area MLA but everyone says his reputation is good. He deserves a repeat term,” says Mahender, a shopkeeper from the area.