Delhi elections 2015: In Matia Mahal, 'ghar wapsi' for BJP's lone Muslim candidate

NEW DELHI: For Shakeel Anjum Dehalwi, BJP's lone Muslim candidate in these elections, it is a political 'ghar wapsi'. While he fought the 2013 assembly elections from Matia Mahal on an AAP ticket, his father, Anwar Dehalwi, was a two-time Bharatiya Jana Sangh councillor from Old Delhi. BJS was the precursor of Bharatiya Janata Party, and Dehalwi Senior was "the first Muslim candidate to win Metropolitan Council elections on Bharatiya Jana Sangh's diya (earthen lamp) symbol in 1967".

Despite the AAP wave last time, Shakeel couldn't unseat five-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal. This time, with Shoaib fighting on a Congress ticket, he is hopeful of turning the tide. The 54-year-old father of three girls has a lot going for him. 'Dehalwi' in his name bears out his Old Delhi roots-he is of course fond of Chandni Chowk's chaat but, surprisingly, not so keen on non-vegetarian food and is planning to go vegetarian like one of his daughters-while his Quran publishing business is proof of solid Muslim credentials in this Muslim-dominated constituency. The only question is: can he make the Muslim electorate get over its reservations about BJP?

Shakeel says Kiran Bedi's induction in the party and anointment as CM candidate is a game-changer. Matia Mahal is finally weighing BJP "as an option". "Through Bedi, BJP is finding resonance in the area." Riaz-uddin Ahmed, a resident, said, "Bedi is a strong leader and if nothing else, she will ensure law and order". Still, campaigning is a challenge as both Congress and AAP are running an anti-Modi campaign.

Shakeel joined BJP only last week after losing faith in AAP. "I left AAP as it has deviated from the ideology it was founded on. Ticket distribution wasn't fair and only those who could pay lakhs were given tickets."

Determined not to finish third like last time, he has hit the ground running. On Thursday, he held his first meeting with party workers after the election office cleared his nomination papers. He is counting on Bedi as well as former AAP confederate Shazia Ilmi to support his two-pronged strategy. "Kiran Bedi will do a roadshow in non-Muslim areas of Matia Mahal and Shazia Ilmi will campaign for me in Muslim pockets."