Delhi Polls: Political parties not focusing on 'basic issues'

By Bhagwati Jetley

I was 10 years old when we came to Delhi from Pakistan in 1947. I remember everything so vividly. My father was editor of Sindh Observer in Karachi and also a councilor in Karachi Assembly.

As a child I would campaign for my father. The atmosphere was great. We used to say “Vote for Jetley. Vote for Jetley”. But I don’t remember my father or any other candidate accusing each other of anything. It was a clash of ideologies and ideas. We were Congress supporters.

The entire family fought for freedom from the British. We came to Delhi at the time of Partition. In 1958, I voted for the first time. Things were very different then. Our leaders were statesmen. Rallies were held in Ramlila Maidan. We heard the speeches on radio and felt a part of the election process. But now everything has changed. It is politics of accusations. It is disturbing me.

Why is it getting so dirty? All this has left me confused. I don’t know whom to vote for? We had always voted for Congress. But after Rajiv Gandhi’s death we switched to BJP. Aam Aadmi Party is different. It has provided the voter another option. But I don’t think the party would last. BJP and Congress would not allow it to last.

The biggest challenge in Delhi elections is that parties are not focusing on the basic needs of the people. PM says inflation has come down. But has it? Nobody can afford vegetables or food items now. The poor man living in a jhuggi doesn’t care whether you have gone to Australia or got a standing ovation in US. Foreign relations come later. It is “pait bhar khana” he is worried about. This is not trivial. But no party wants to address these issues.

(Bhagwati Jetley is a retired school principal and lives in Mayur Vihar Phase II)