On the last day of filing nominations, all seven Congress candidates submitted their papers accompanied by supporters chanting Chowkidar Chor Hai [watchman is a thieve].
A nostalgic moment
Three-time Chief Minister of Delhi and Delhi Congress President Sheila Dikshit was accompanied by supporters in a rally from Signature Bridge to Nand Nagri before filing her nomination for the North East Delhi seat. Ms. Dikshit said it was like a sentimental homecoming as she had contested her first election for the East Delhi seat in 1998, parts of which are in North East Delhi after delimitation, and was familiar with the issues of people.
“I know the people here and they know me. We started the Metro project from here and the Congress has a good reputation of working for the people and development,” she said.
The 81-year-old said she drew energy from the enthusiastic Congress workers and was confident of pulling off a victory.
Ms. Dikshit who was against a tie-up with the Aam Aadmi Party said sometimes in politics you need to do what is need of the hour and therefore the alliance talks were on. “Now, the alliance chapter is over and the Congress will win in all seven seats,” she added.
Former Union Minister Ajay Maken filed his nomination for the New Delhi seat and ex-MPs — Jai Prakash Agarwal and Mahabal Mishra — filed their nomination from Chandni Chowk and West Delhi respectively. In North West Delhi, the only reserved seat in the Capital, Delhi Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia filed his nomination.
Former DPCC president Arvinder Singh Lovely filed his nomination from East Delhi while Olympic medallist Vijendra Singh made his debut in the political ring by filing his papers for the South Delhi seat.
After filing his nomination, Mr. Singh said he had taken the political plunge as he wanted to serve people. “I come from a poor family and my father was a driver. I understand the problems of the poor because I have been through it,” he said, adding that unemployment was the biggest issue in his constituency and he would work towards ending it.
“There is no Modi wave, at least I cannot see it,” said the boxer, who said his ideology matched with that of the Congress party.
Vows to benefit country
The Congress said its campaign would concentrate on the achievements of its 15-year rule in Delhi and the promises made in the manifesto that will benefit not only the people of Delhi but the entire country.