If roads in your colony are potholed, drains and streets rarely cleaned, streetlights never function and the garbage heap across the road is getting bigger, this is your time to come out and make your voice heard. MCD is responsible for taking care of basic amenities such as roads, sanitation and primary health. So who you elect will decide your standard of living for the next five years.
State election commissioner Rakesh Mehta said, “People should understand the importance of voting as ground-level problems can only be fixed by municipal corporations. So on Sunday, go out and vote for the change you want to see.”
Agreed Jagdeep Chhokar, founder member, Association for Democratic Reforms, “Citizens who do not vote should not blame anyone for poor state of affairs. Municipal elections touch an ordinary man more closely than general elections.”
Only 42.78 per cent people had cast their votes in last municipal elections in 2007.
About 16 million people would vote to elect 272 municipal councillors in the Capital from among 2,423 candidates. This is the first time the election is taking place for three separate municipal corporations in Delhi.
Politically, this election is a litmus test for several Delhi leaders. The polls are also being seen as precursor of Delhi assembly elections to be held in 2013.
While the ruling BJP is fighting anti-incumbency and rebellion in its own ranks, the poll is a likely referendum on corruption and price rise for Congress.
DPCC president and MP from Northeast Delhi Jai Prakash Aggarwal, however, said, the election revolves around the non-performance of BJP in MCD.
Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta said the electorate is angry because of the long list of scams in Delhi and at the Centre.
BSP, Delhi’s third national party, however, is looking at consolidating its vote share. The party had won 17 seats in 2007.
Buoyed by its success in recently concluded assembly elections in UP, SP is looking at opening its account in Delhi, specially in Muslim-dominated areas. (With Shaswati Das)
