New Delhi: In the heart of Malviya Nagar, the Shivalik Colony houses two refugee settlements – Indira Camp and Valmiki Camp – home to residents with stories that speak to decades of struggle, hope, and political shifts.
As the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections approach, The New Indian team visited Indira Camp to gauge the pulse of its residents and uncover the deep-rooted sentiments that could shape their votes.
Nestled in the cold of a January evening, a group of women huddled together around a small fire at the entrance of a narrow, crumbling building.
Their faces, framed by the glow of the flames, were lined with years of resilience.
The building’s entrance was barely wider than the span of three outstretched hands, emblematic of the cramped, often overlooked conditions they call home.
Nearby, another group of women gathered, animatedly discussing their daily lives and aspirations for change.
The conversations, while casual in tone, carried an undercurrent of political frustration and a longing for stability.
When asked about their views on the upcoming elections, a consensus quickly formed. “This time, I think Congress will make a comeback,” said a woman, her voice laced with certainty.
“Under Congress rule, we never faced problems.When Kiran Walia or Jitu Bhaiya were here, they saved our camp from being uprooted.”
Her words were echoed by others, many of whom remembered the interventions of former Congress leaders with fondness.
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Malviya Nagar has been a stronghold of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) since 2013, with Somnath Bharti representing the constituency as MLA.
However, among the residents of Indira Camp, a sense of disillusionment with the current MLA was palpable.
While other parts of Malviya Nagar showed signs of support for BJP, the refugees at Indira Camp seemed largely unimpressed by both the BJP and AAP’s promises.
On January 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ashok Vihar and distributed keys for 1,675 flats to Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) dwellers as part of his electoral push.
He also announced plans to build 3,000 more pucca houses.
But for the residents of Indira Camp, this offer fell on deaf ears.
“We don’t want their flats,” one resident declared. “What we want is for our jhuggis to be renovated right here. We’ve been living in these three-story buildings for years. How can we fit into a single flat? All we need is for them to pass the tender for redevelopment here.”
This sentiment of wanting to stay in their community, but with better living conditions, was echoed by others.
The prospect of relocating to a faraway flat in an unfamiliar part of the city held little appeal for people who had spent decades building lives where they were.
The discussion on BJP candidate Satish Upadhyay brought a sharp response from a man in his 60s, who voiced his displeasure: “Satish Upadhyay never visited us.
Even when he was a Nigam Parshad (Municipal Councillor), he did nothing for us.”
This criticism reflected a broader dissatisfaction among Indira Camp residents with political figures they felt had abandoned them.
However, not all opinions were so firmly aligned. Rani, a woman in her 50s who had worked in Malviya Nagar for over four decades, cautiously weighed in.
“I think the BJP might win Delhi this time,” she said. “Somnath Bharti has been here for three terms, and he has done good work.
But with Jeetendra Kochar being announced as the Congress candidate, there’s a chance Somnath’s votes could be split.”
Jeetendra Kochar, affectionately known as Jeetu Bhaiya, has earned a loyal following due to his past work in the constituency, and his re-entry into the race as Congress’s candidate has sparked renewed interest among voters in Indira Camp.
While opinions about the upcoming election were divided, one thing was clear: many residents expressed satisfaction with the benefits they had received under AAP governance, especially free electricity, water, and bus rides for women.
“We are really happy with these initiatives,” one woman commented. “Either AAP or BJP should win; we don’t mind as long as we continue to receive these benefits.”
Despite these mixed feelings, it was evident that the residents of Indira Camp, particularly the women, were leaning towards Congress, with many hoping that Jeetu Bhaiya’s return to the political scene could bring the kind of community-focused change they craved.
In a neighborhood marked by struggle, political neglect, and unfulfilled promises, the women of Indira Camp are searching for a candidate who understands their needs and can bring real, lasting improvements to their lives.
As the election date draws closer, the fate of Malviya Nagar, and especially Indira Camp, may very well hinge on which party can offer both tangible benefits and the promise of a brighter future
(Edited by Rohan Dua)
