Delhi Polls: A sprawling parking lot now occupies what was once fertile farmland in Lado Sarai, a village with deep historical roots. Once a focal point of the Delhi Sultanate during the Lodi dynasty, Lado Sarai has transformed from an agrarian hamlet into a bustling urban village, its rural charm lost to the inexorable march of modernity.
Lado Sarai: From farmland to concrete jungle
Some residents of Lado Sarai trace their lineage back to the Sultanate era, though many families have since moved away. Once thriving on agriculture, the village gradually turned urban. Farms disappeared, replaced by densely packed houses. With time, urbanisation extinguished the agricultural way of life entirely.
Local discontent runs deep. Many villagers, particularly landowners, express disillusionment with mainstream political parties, accusing them of neglecting the needs of Delhi’s urban villages. In response, they are rallying behind an independent candidate and godman, Balyogi Balaknath, from Gorakhnath Math.
“The initial plan was to boycott the Delhi polls since none of the political parties were focusing on our issues. Essentially, we did not have anybody who was representing us, so voting felt meaningless. However, now that we have a candidate addressing our concerns, we will not be boycotting the elections,” said Lakhan Singh, a Lado Sarai resident.
Mehrauli’s villages unite behind an independent candidate
It’s not just Lado Sarai—11 other villages in the Mehrauli constituency are backing Balaknath. Predominantly Jat-influenced villages such as Katwaria Sarai, Ber Sarai, Masoodpur, Rajokri, Kishangarh, Kusumpur, Motilal Nehru Camp, Saket, Vasant Kunj, and Sewa Basti are seeking to break away from the grip of mainstream parties.
According to the Revenue Department, Delhi is home to 357 villages, most of which are in the South West and North revenue districts, each hosting 69 villages. Many of these fall under the Palam 360 Khap, an apex body of village councils. Earlier, the Khap had called for a boycott of the elections, citing the neglect of villages by successive governments. However, independent candidates now appear to be their best hope for a voice in the Assembly.
What ails Delhi’s 360 villages
Much like Lado Sarai, many urban villages in Delhi are struggling with the impact of rapid urbanisation. Despite their historic roots, these neighbourhoods remain underdeveloped, with families tracing their lineage back over a millennium. The Palam 360 Khap’s first pradhan, Vikram Samant, is said to have held office in 783 AD.

The lack of development is a pressing issue, but the villagers’ primary concern is the absence of land reforms. Ram Das, a Lado Sarai resident and dairy farmer, pointed to unfulfilled promises under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
“We were supposed to receive compensation of Rs 3.75 per bigha under Section 74/4 of the Act when the government acquired our land. The hearings began in 1965 and are still ongoing. Despite repeated complaints and petitions, we have received nothing. Our land now falls under the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and we are left empty-handed,” he said.
Cramped spaces and broken promises
The story of Kapashera village mirrors that of Lado Sarai. Once a thriving border hamlet, it has been reduced to congested alleys and farm stays. Residents here, too, lament the lack of resources.
Surender Singh, a Kapashera resident, said, “The law states that if the government acquires a farmer’s land, an equivalent area must be provided to them. We have been waiting for generations to receive even one bigha of land, but nothing has been given to us.”
Other villages face similar challenges. Medical facilities are scarce, forcing residents to travel long distances for basic healthcare. Rajveer Singh of Narela said, “There are no government hospitals nearby. Private hospitals are too expensive for us. The closest government hospital is in Rohini, about 10 km away.”
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Poor municipal services exacerbate the problems. In Sarai Kale Khan, overflowing sewers and unclean drains are common complaints. “Despite repeated requests, the situation remains unchanged. Wastewater piles up on the streets because there are no proper sewer lines,” said Ranjit Singh, a resident.
Resistance to boycotts
Not all residents support election boycotts. Ram Pramod Singh of Lado Sarai argued that boycotting would only benefit politicians. “If change is to come, it won’t be through boycotting elections. Unfortunately, politicians have the resources to influence votes, especially among the poorer demographic,” he said.
The Bawana conundrum
While most villages are seeking representation, those in Bawana are leaning towards a boycott in protest against the construction of another Waste To Energy (WTE) plant. Residents fear the environmental and health hazards posed by such plants, citing issues at the Sukhdev Vihar plant.

“The smell from the existing plant is unbearable. We do not want another one here,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Khap demands
At a Mahapanchayat in September, the Palam 360 Khap outlined key demands: initiating land mutation processes, granting ownership rights to farmers under Section 74/4, providing alternative plots for acquired land, and waiving stamp duty for ancestral properties under the government’s Swamitva Scheme.
Surender Solanki, the Khap’s chief, said, “Our aim is not to boycott Delhi polls but to find a candidate or political party who will address the needs of the 360 villages.”