Photostory: Rallying for votes – Delhi’s political battleground heats up

Delhi polls: BJP rally

A sea of heads stretches across the rally ground as loudspeakers blare the BJP’s election theme song in Govindpuri. The saffron-clad crowd waits restlessly for the  Amit Shah’s arrival.

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Police personnel remain stationed on nearby buildings, keeping a watchful eye on the rally site. The roads leading to the venue are eerily deserted, in stark contrast to the packed gathering near the Gurudwara.

Crowds pour in from Kalkaji and Sangam Vihar, eager to see the senior BJP leader Amit Shah in person. “Elections are the only time we get to see ‘important’ people. Otherwise, we are left to fend for ourselves,” says a supporter.

The audience watches intently, hoping for the development they feel has long been absent in Govindpuri and Kalkaji. Restless but captivated, they await promises of change.

Enthusiastic supporters wave saffron flags as the Union Home Minister greets them with a resounding “Jai Shree Ram.” The crowd erupts in chants, standing on chairs and raising their arms in response.

Anita, along with her friends from Govindpuri, eagerly awaits a glimpse of Shah. “It is a matter of immense pride that a minister has come to Govindpuri. My entire family votes for the BJP, and we believe that this time around, there is a wind of change. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also done some work, but we still remain without any semblance of support. The Mohalla Clinics have remained closed for the past couple of years, and we have had enough of that,” she says.

Mansoor Alam and his family, who had planned to attend the public gathering together, have decided to vote for the saffron party this time. “There is a need for change now. The freebies that the AAP has been offering will be offered by the BJP as well. However, if they come to power, we will receive much more than that as well. It is also important to note that this may change the broken roads and the water issues in the area,” he says.

Congress

Congress supporters stand under Delhi’s winter sun, eagerly awaiting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s arrival at the Okhla constituency.

The venue erupts in thunderous applause as the senior Congress leader takes the stage, greeted by a sea of clapping hands.

Rahul Gandhi launches a scathing attack on the media, BJP, and Arvind Kejriwal. “How are you, my media brothers? I call you brothers, but you aren’t,” he says, accusing the media of glorifying Modi’s “8-10 crore watches” while ignoring Delhi’s pollution and infrastructure issues.

“In the market of hate, we are opening shops of love,” says Rahul Gandhi, criticising the BJP and RSS for dividing the country.

Rahul Gandhi takes a swipe at former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of abandoning the poor during crises. His speech draws loud cheers from the crowd.

Sushil, a staunch Congress supporter, expresses his frustration with the political climate. “This time, we will give Congress a chance. We are fed up with hate politics. Modi talks about providing houses—where are the houses? We are still waiting for achhe din. Instead of progress, we see how our country is being divided by hate.”

Devi, an elderly woman with a warm smile, admires Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. “Rahul Gandhi is like my son. He understands the struggles of poor people. Kejriwal always makes false promises, saying he will do this and that. Modi is a thief, but Rahul is all about love,” she says, voicing her trust in Congress.

AAP

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal addresses the crowd, alleging that the BJP-led Haryana government is releasing contaminated water into the Yamuna.

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“The BJP is mixing poison in the Yamuna,” says Kejriwal. “The Delhi Jal Board identified the source and stopped it from entering Delhi. Such actions are unacceptable. They want to harm the people of Delhi during elections and blame it on me, but we caught it early. We are one country, not enemies.”

Kejriwal calls for governance-focused politics instead of blame games and divisive strategies. “There are many issues like broken drains and bad roads. I asked BJP MLAs to help solve these problems, but they refused, saying I would get the credit. We should work for the people, not for ourselves,” he says.

Nirmala, a middle-aged AAP supporter, praises Kejriwal’s leadership. “Kejriwal is the only one we believe in. The government tried to put him in jail, but they failed because he was honest. Thanks to him, we have mohalla clinics that provide free treatment. These BJP leaders only spread lies and hate. Aam Aadmi Party is the only party that truly understands the needs of the common people,” she says.