BJP sells regularization dream in Delhi

NEW DELHI: To woo voters in Sangam Vihar—Delhi’s biggest cluster of unauthorized colonies— BJP is all set to promise regularization of all such spaces in the city in its manifesto, party state president Vijay Goel.

Speaking alongside national president Rajnath Singh at Sangam Vihar’s DDA Park on Monday, Goel said the manifesto will feature increase in the cap on number of cylinders per household and flats for slum dwellers close to their settlements. Singh and Goel were both campaigning for the party’s sitting MLA, S C L Gupta.

This was Singh’s very first election campaign in Delhi. "I have been busy campaigning in other states but in Delhi I started with Sangam Vihar for a reason. I know Dr Gupta very well as a doctor and MLA. People may hold him responsible for not having got a few things done but they cannot point a finger at his credibility and honesty," said Singh vouching for Gupta’s integrity.

Gupta’s own speech focused on his work. "The DDA ground where we are holding this rally was also once in control of encroachers. I worked hard to get it back for you and in my next tenure I intend to construct a community centre here with multi-level parking," he said.

The party put up a strong fight for the hearts of the Poorvanchali population of the belt projecting Gupta as a son of the soil. BJP office bearer Dr Anil Sharma, also a Poorvanchali, addressed the crowd in Bhojpuri and spoke of Poorvanchali pride. The event saw Poorvanchali leaders like Ranjeet Singh being welcomed into BJP. In 2008, Singh contested against Gupta on a BSP ticket , finishing third with 11,600 ballots.

In his speech, Singh drew a comparison of BJP with Lord Rama and Congress with Ravana, even as he attacked the state and union governments on corruption and arrogance. "Ravana was perhaps more powerful, affluent and knowledgeable but due to his failure to understand his limits people worship not him but Rama today," he said. Singh also criticized Congress president Sonia Gandhi hinting at her foreign roots. "To rule India one has to know India’s history and culture. Does Soniaji understand India, its character?" Singh said.