For many, hyperlocal issues a top concern

Most voters The Indian Express spoke to listed a series of hyperlocal aspirations, all centering around the cleanliness of their localities. Many also expressed anger and disappointment at current incumbents for not doing enough.

Written by Anand Mohan J , Gayathri Mani

New Delhi | Updated: December 5, 2022 09:21 AM IST

3 min read

Most voters flagged cleanliness issues in their localities. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

The sight of roads dug up, smell of garbage putrefying on their streets and endless knocks at a councillor’s door leading to bitter disappointment weighed on the minds of voters who headed out to cast their vote for a new, reunified MCD on Sunday.

In Shaheen Bagh, a sea of garbage cutting across the entrance of a polling centre reminded voters of what they were voting for. Rajda Khan, a 37-year-old resident, is voting for change as she said, “Previous officials have not had success”. She hopes to see proper garbage disposal.

Over 20 km away, Nisar Ahmed (55) from Northeast Delhi’s Jafrabad said the drains around his area were overflowing and “previous councillors have not done as much as they should have”.

Begumpur resident Amit Kumar Das (31) said he is tired of looking at dug up roads in his locality and longs for change. He also wants the AAP’s policies which led to a reduction in water and electricity bills to be replicated in the MCD as well. “We want that kind of good work to happen in the MCD also,” he said.

Ramesh Sharma, a 63-year-old general store owner in Raj Niwas, said despite being an upscale VIP area, it still has pothole-filled roads and clogged drains. He also said the streets would get inundated during the monsoon. “This time too, we voted hoping these issues will be addressed. Let’s see,” he said.

Prakash Malhotra, a central government employee, recalled the time when he tried to reach out to the local councillor over thefts in the area but to no avail. “Councillors should be people’s friends… they should be respectful,” he said.

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Gopal Krishan (61), a resident of Malviya Nagar, claimed he has not seen his local councillor for the last five years and felt embittered that only promises were made on the eve of elections. He said he “voted for change”. So did Kuldeep Bharadwaj (63), a resident of Ganpati Bagh, who said he has never seen a councillor visit his area in the last two decades.

Arun Bedi (57), a businessman from Amar Colony, added: “Whoever comes now should be a local person and should work.”

Apart from hyperlocal issues, the spate of demolition drives to clear encroachments this year in the capital also weighed on people’s minds. For Janaki Devi (55), who turned up to cast her vote at a polling station in Okhla, memories of her home and tea stall demolished in one such drive six months ago are still fresh. “They did not leave anything behind. My livelihood was destroyed in a day. I came to vote because I am angry,” Devi said.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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MCD elections