NEW DELHI: In the Shivalik Colony of Malviya Nagar, two refugee camps, Indira Camp and Valmiki Camp, house residents with compelling stories. Ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, The New Indian team visited Indira Camp to understand the sentiments of the people living there.
A group of women sat around a fire, seeking warmth from the biting cold. They were seated at the entrance of a narrow three-story building, whose door was no wider than three small hands put together. Nearby, another group of women gathered, discussing their day-to-day lives.
These women voiced their support for the Congress Party. “This time, I think Congress will make a comeback. Under Congress rule, we never faced any problems. When Kiran Walia or Jitu Bhaiya were here, they saved our camp when it was on the brink of being uprooted,” one of them said.
Malviya Nagar has been an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stronghold since 2013 under MLA Somnath Bharti, but Congress ruled before that. While disappointment with the current MLA was observed in other parts of Malviya Nagar, where some residents expressed support for the BJP, the refugees in Indira Camp remained unimpressed by the BJP or any political party.
On January 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed keys for 1,675 flats to JJ dwellers in Ashok Vihar during his first campaign for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. He also promised that 3,000 more pucca houses were under construction.
A resident of Indira Camp said, “We don’t want their flats; we want our *jhuggis* to be renovated here itself. Right now, we live in three-story buildings. How can we adjust to a single flat? All we want is for them to pass the tender for redevelopment here.”
When asked about BJP candidate Satish Upadhyay, a man in his 60s remarked, “Satish Upadhyay never visited us. Even during his tenure as *Nigam Parshad*, he did nothing for us.”
Rani, a woman in her 50s who has worked in Malviya Nagar for the past 40 years, said, “I think BJP might come to power in Delhi this time. Somnath has been here for three terms and has done good work, but with Jeetendra Kochar being announced as the Congress candidate, there’s a chance that Somnath Bharti’s votes could be split.”
Despite the criticisms, residents expressed satisfaction with the benefits provided by AAP. “We are getting free electricity, free water, and free bus rides for women. We’re really happy with these initiatives. Either AAP or BJP should win,” one resident shared.
Jeetendra Kochar, known affectionately as Jeetu Bhaiya, has garnered significant support for his past work, making him a strong contender for Malviya Nagar in this election.
