NEW DELHI: With the Delhi Assembly elections set for February 5 and counting scheduled on February 8, the battle in Jangpura constituency has gained spotlight as it is anything but a cakewalk for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Manish Sisodia, who has changed his Vidhan Sabha constituency from Patparganj, amid 11-year anti-incumbency
Major concerns in the area include waterlogging, rising crime, inadequate civic amenities, and lack of direct engagement from elected representatives.
AAP’s Praveen Kumar, who has given his seat to Sisodia, had defeated BJP’s Impreet Singh Bakshi but has become major reason for the criticism of AAP’s lacklusture work in Jangpura. BJP has fielded Tarwinder Singh Marwah this time.
A local resident Shahrukh shares his frustration over security issues and poor governance:
“Congress has very less chance, the major rivalry is between BJP and AAP. The biggest problem in Jangpura is waterlogging, and recently, my bike was stolen. Security is lacking, and the crime rate is increasing. The MLA Praveen never visits to hear our issues. If AAP comes to power, nobody other than Arvind Kejriwal is its face. But the liquor scam and the Sheesh Mahal controversy have tarnished his image. And honestly, there is no one bigger than Modi.”
Amit, a shopkeeper, voiced his disappointment with both governance and AAP’s ignorance for choosing a new candidate without resolving old issues.
“People need change. In the last 10 years, nothing has changed. Whoever wins focuses on filling their own pockets while the public suffers. Roads need improvement, and parks need cleaning. Residents are contributing money from their own pockets to get cleanliness work done. These freebies are making people lethargic. Only people living in slums are voting for AAP. AAP has increased corruption instead of reducing it. If BJP comes to power, there won’t be issues in getting funds from the Centre.”
Similarly, Surinder Singh, Amit’ father, favors BJP but recalled Congress leader Marwah’s past work:
“I want BJP to win. When Marwah Saab was in Congress, he did a lot of work and helped people. Over the past 10 years, Jangpura supported AAP because Madan Lal Ji worked in the beginning, but later he didn’t do much.”
Another long-time resident, Kamaljeet Singh, raises concerns about infrastructure and governance.
“Even in the poshest areas of Jangpura, waterlogging is a major issue. Parking is a mess, and yet no MLA or official comes to inspect. If Praveen Kumar did nothing, what will Manish Sisodia do?”
Jaipal Singh, an ironman says: “I think BJP is going to win in Delhi. BJP will come to power because of Marwah Ji and Modi Ji’s leadership. If I talk about work, then yes, AAP has worked. The condition of government schools has improved significantly. BJP gets votes only in the name of religion, not in the name of development.”
Among others, local residents Kamlesh and Santosh expressed their desire for AAP to return to power.
Another resident, Rahul, strongly believed that BJP would form the government in Delhi. However, his Muslim friend and local from jangpura, Aslam took a more neutral stance, stating that either AAP or Congress could emerge victorious.
Meanwhile, Neeraj openly expressed his support for AAP.
Meanwhile, Karuna Shankar, a constructor in Jangpura, criticized AAP’s handling of pollution control measures.
“BJP is working well, both nationally and internationally. I don’t have much hope from AAP. Everyone is doing some work, but pollution is increasing drastically. GRAP-4 is in effect, and construction work has stopped. We have to pay laborers from our own pockets, and AAP is responsible for this.”
