NEW DELHI: The campaigning for the November 30 bypolls to 12 vacant wards of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi by-elections came to an end on Friday, with top leaders from all major parties holding roadshows, rallies and public meetings in a final attempt to woo voters.
CM Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, AAP leader and former CM Atishi, MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav were among those who campaigned extensively on the last day.
Delhi BJP President Sachdeva said the public mood is shifting towards the BJP due to the government’s recent initiatives, including sewer cleaning, improved electricity and water supply, penalty waivers on water bills, Yamuna cleaning, smooth Chhath Puja arrangements, better road maintenance and upgraded DTC bus services. He added that Arvind Kejriwal’s absence from the campaign was a “silent acceptance of defeat.”
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined roadshows in Chandni Chowk, Ashok Vihar and Shalimar Bagh, asserting that there was “new enthusiasm” among both the public and BJP workers. “People know this by-election will not change the power equation, yet they want to give the BJP a clear majority in the Corporation,” she said.
Union Minister Harsh Malhotra claimed that while Vinod Nagar has traditionally backed the BJP, even AAP supporters were “angry” because Kejriwal had fielded a “corrupt woman leader who has been jailed,” and that voters would prefer the BJP’s “clean-image candidate.”
AAP leader Atishi led roadshows in Naraina and Shalimar Bagh, joined by MCD Prabhari Durgesh Pathak, to mobilise support. She said residents were increasingly disillusioned with the Rekha Gupta Government and now “regret bringing the BJP to power,” calling the bypolls a moment of “course correction.”
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav urged voters to reject the “politics of lies, deceit and corruption” and criticised both the BJP and AAP for failing to address pollution, broken roads, poor transport and deteriorating law and order. People are now remembering Sheila Dikshit’s 15-year tenure, which he said turned Delhi into a world-class city.
Public mood changing: Sachdeva
Public mood is shifting towards the BJP due to the government’s recent initiatives, including sewer cleaning, improved electricity and water supply and, penalty waivers on water bills, says Virendra Sachdeva, BJP chief
AAP slams BJP over pollution
Delhi has become ‘the world’s most polluted city’ under the BJP government, while Arvind Kejriwal had earlier delivered schools, mohalla clinics, and free electricity, and bus travel, says Sanjay Singh, AAP spokesperson
‘City turned hell under AAP, BJP’
Delhi had become ‘hell’ under 12 years of BJP and AAP rule, and that people are now remembering Sheila Dikshit’s 15-year tenure, which turned Delhi into a world-class city, says Devender Yadav, Delhi Cong president