Northwest Delhi is one of the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in India’s national capital – Delhi. Northwest Delhi comprises the following assembly segments — Narela, Badli, Rithala, Bawana, Mundka, Kirari, Sultanpur Majra, Nangloi Jat, Mangol Puri and Rohini. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) represents all constituencies, except Rohini, in the Delhi legislative assembly. Rohini is represented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The constituency will vote in phase six on May 25.
Sitting MP: Hans Raj Hans (BJP)
Key Candidates: Yogendra Chandolia (BJP), Udit Raj (Congress/I.N.D.I.A.)
POLITICAL DYNAMICS
BJP Well-Placed for Third Victory: Defeating the BJP in Northwest Delhi is not an easy task. For starters, the saffron party has a solid support base in this constituency. In 2019, BJP’s Hans Raj Hans won the seat by a staggering margin of 5.53 lakh votes and garnered a vote share of 60.5%.
Despite Hans’s incredible victory in 2019, the BJP has replaced him with Yogendra Chandolia – a party worker who has risen through the ranks over the past 40 years. Chandolia knows Northwest Delhi well and is aware of the issues that plague this constituency and what needs to be done to address them.
Northwest Delhi has it all, from open fields and villages to high-rises and cramped dwellings in slums where even basic amenities are hard to come by. The BJP’s support base spans across the lower-middle, middle- and high-income groups. The middle class, which will be a decisive bloc in this election, too, is particularly fascinated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, despite having represented the constituency for 10 years, not much has been done to alleviate the constituency’s woes. Many argue that their living conditions have not improved. This could be one reason why Hans was dropped by the BJP, as the party seeks to send a message that it has heard the concerns of voters here. Chandolia is being projected as the antidote which Northwest Delhi needs to overcome its issues.
Chandolia is promising to revive water bodies of the constituency, fix roads and enhance educational infrastructure. He is also pitching for new community centres, apart from claiming that waterlogging and sewage issues will be resolved. Controlling crime and fixing the law-and-order situation here by addressing the threat posed by illegal immigrants from Bangladesh is another BJP talking point in Northwest Delhi.
As a largely urban constituency, the BJP’s Hindutva pitch finds significant traction here. Voters are also aware that this is a national election in which they are determined to strengthen PM Modi’s hands at the Centre. Besides, the BJP’s national security approach is another vote-getter. While the 2019 Modi wave is not seen this time around, the BJP’s support base is largely intact. Adding to this is the Chandolia factor. The BJP candidate is well-known and has the full might of the BJP organisation at his disposal.
Besides, the BJP is not expected to lose, given the sheer magnitude of its victory in 2019. For a party which won the seat last time by over 5.5 lakh votes, its prospects would have to be in a free fall to lose this time. However, there is no palpable anger against the Modi government and BJP across the constituency.
AAP-Congress Bets on BJP Turncoat: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now allied with the Congress. In Northwest Delhi, which is largely considered a BJP stronghold now, this perception of the AAP taking a U-turn, joining hands with the party it fought against during its formation, is exacerbating the party’s many problems. As a result, the INDI Alliance is on a definitive back foot. Taking on the BJP is Udit Raj, who has been fielded by the Congress. Interestingly, Raj is a former MP from Northwest Delhi who represented it from 2014 to 2019, albeit on a BJP ticket.
For Udit Raj, his past in the BJP has come back to haunt his prospects in the constituency this election. Within the Congress, and even the AAP, Raj is seen as an outsider and a turncoat. While the BJP organisation is working to increase the victory margin, the INDI organisation is just not throwing its weight behind Raj.
The AAP does not have a decisive vote bank like the BJP does. The middle class, which is critical for any party winning this seat, is squarely placed in the BJP camp. The AAP’s support base remains largely limited to the poor and underprivileged voters . In this demographic too, the AAP’s support may be cracking as people look to Modi for all-round development. This may not be a big crack just yet, but would be sufficient for the BJP to start working on for future elections.
The Congress does not have much in the name of an organisation here. Whatever it has is upset with Raj’s candidature. Rajkumar Chauhan, who served as a minister in the Sheila Dikshit government, has quit the party over the issue. In April, a press conference to introduce the Congress’ candidates was marred by a section of party workers raising slogans against Raj and calling him an “outsider.”
Raj is no stranger to controversy. He is famous for his comments against the Prime Minister and his government.
As things stand, a victory for the INDI bloc appears impossible in Northwest Delhi, even as the BJP is trying to increase the victory margin it set here in the previous general election. PM Modi’s campaign in the constituency is one of the big bets the BJP has placed to achieve it.
Demographics (North-West Delhi)
Total Voters: 23,79,043
SC: 18.51%
Geographical Composition
Urban Voters: 94.15%
Rural Voters: 5.85%
Religious Composition
Hindu: 87.82 %
Muslim: 7.2%
Sikh: 2.52%
KEY ISSUES
Metro Connectivity: The Metro connectivity in Northwest and West Delhi has not quite taken speed as has been the case with the rest of Delhi. People living in Qutubgarh, Burari, and areas beyond Dwarka have blamed the state and central governments for promises made 10 years ago being unfulfilled. A large part of the constituency beyond Rithala finds itself cut off from the rest of Delhi, with commuters having no choice, but to travel to far-flung stations like Samaypur Badli or Mundka to avail the metro services.
Roads: The condition of roads in Northwest and West Delhi, especially in the hinterlands of Narela, Qutubgarh, Rithala and Bawana in Northwest and Rohini and Dwarka in the West, is bad. According to reports, the roads are in disrepair, and parking is a problem as no designated parking spaces are available. The Outer Ring Road beyond the Bhalswa landfill towards Rohini and Mundka is heavily congested at all times and regularly disrupted by stray cattle. This cramming is attributed to ongoing construction of flyovers and Delhi Metro lines, but it forces residents, who have to rely on personal vehicles for lack of public transport, to suffer.
Delhi Master Plan: The Delhi master plan has come under heavy criticism for failing to understand the local issues and being unable to solve the issue of decentralisation of various local authorities. The issue is more pronounced in West and Northwest Delhi where disputes between the MCD, PWD and DDA have led to stagnant development in the region. The MCD and PWD fall under the state’s jurisdiction and the DDA under the central government. The infighting between these authorities based on political lines has become a nuisance for the people. While the current candidates have promised to provide for a solution, how it pans out remains to be seen.
Civic Infrastructure: Availability of civic amenities and lack of civic infrastructure is a major issue in both Northwest and West Delhi constituencies. Clogged drains, lack of public transport, bad condition of roads, unavailability of adequate public healthcare infrastructure, and sanitation issues persist in both the constituencies. These issues are more pronounced in hinterlands and outskirts of the constituencies. In Rohini sector 7, people have complained about the stagnation of development in the region. There are no parking facilities, the community centres are not up to the mark and there are no parks in the area. People in Mangolpuri live in slums and are agitated over lack of water, electricity, educational infrastructure and paved roads in the area.
Sewage: Declining sewage infrastructure has been a major issue in both constituencies in Delhi. With high-rise societies and rising population amid migration, the sewage infrastructure has failed to keep up. Many areas, including the prestigious Vishwavidyala region (Delhi University North Campus), get waterlogged during the rains. Regions such as Bhalswa and Burari have open drains and clogged sewage pipes. During the monsoon, drains are flooded in many regions, with sewage water spilling onto the roads and into people’s houses. Residents of the slum of Mangolpuri suffer a muck-filled drain with garbage strewn around, making the region unhygienic and an infestation point for various diseases.
Water Crisis: Water crisis has worsened over the years. People in many areas such as Sector 15 in Rohini, rural areas of Qutubgarh, Mangolpuri and many others are still not connected with pipelines. Even when they are, there is no water supply. People have to stand in long queues and wait for water tankers for their daily water needs. Places in West Delhi have complained about unsanitary, contaminated water or muddy water flowing through the pipes and into their homes.
Delayed Projects: The 690-bed Hastsal-Vikaspuri hospital, despite claims of completion in June 2022, remains unfinished, although its foundation stone was laid 18 years ago. Construction began in 2019, with plans for two additional hospitals in Madipur and Jwalapuri as part of the ₹211-crore project. These two hospitals are also under development, leaving voters frustrated with the lack of progress and the inconvenience caused by unfinished projects.
Bhalswa Landfill: Garbage dumping and overflowing landfills have become a contentious issue for people in Northwest Delhi. The landfill at Bhalswa has become a major health hazard and the stench can be felt across the region. Local authorities at the Bhalswa landfill sometimes burn the garbage which causes even more issues of pollution in the area. The landfill has also impacted the property rates.
Traffic Congestion: Traffic snarls is an issue here. Disruptions by stray cattle and ongoing projects which have been delayed for years, cause major traffic congestion. The construction of the Punjabi Bagh flyover and the digging of land for the metro in the area have increased travel time on a road that has been damaged for years. Because of construction works, all roads are perpetually blocked, making hailing cab or delivery services tough. Even auto rickshaws don’t want to ply there because of traffic.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Phase IV: The 26.46-km network will have 21 stations, and a separate project report for extending the Rithala-Narela corridor till Kundli in Haryana has also been completed and submitted for approval. It will also connect Rithala, Bawana and Narela.
- Dwarka Expressway: It is an under-construction 16-lane expressway that will connect Dwarka in Delhi with Kherki Daula Toll Plaza, Gurgaon. PM Modi had inaugurated the project in March this year. The total cost of the project is Rs 7,500 crore.
- Delhi Urban Extension Road 2: It is an upcoming mega project which will connect Rohini, Mundka, Najafgarh, and Dwarka while passing through Alipur. It was conceived by the DDA in 2021 and will help alleviate the traffic congestion in the region.
- Industrial Hub: In January this year, Arvind Kejriwal approved the setting up of an industrial hub on 147 acres in Rani Khera in Northwest Delhi. The responsibility for the development of the hub has been given to Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Industries such as IT, ITES, media, biotechnology, research, and innovation hubs will be established here.
- Railway Infrastructure: Circulating areas were enhanced with parking lots, beautification, and waiting halls. New mini platform shelters, water booths, and water coolers were added at various stations. High mast lighting with MPLAD was installed at Narela Railway station. Three roads under bridges were constructed at level crossings. A new foot over bridge with an escalator and lift facility was built connecting platforms 1 & 2 and a metro station at Badli. Foot over bridges at Gheora and Mangolpuri stations were completed. Solar lights were installed at both platforms. Passenger amenities were improved with the addition of toilet blocks, mini platform shelters, water booths, water coolers, and a high mast tower with LED luminaries. Stainless steel benches were installed at Narela railway station, and LED luminaries replaced conventional type luminaries in circulating areas, station buildings, and platforms.