Gurgaon was developed by outsiders: Congress’s Raj Babbar replies to BJP jibe at packed rally in Nuh

On Tuesday, the scenes in Nuh were different from Babbar’s Gurgaon rally on Friday which was thinly attended. When Babbar started his journey at 8 am from Gurgaon to head to Nuh and Rewari, the Delhi-Alwar road was filled with cars and motorcycles while the party flags were unfurled in almost every village along the road. Two young men riding a motorcycle were trying to get closer to Babbar’s SUV to click a picture of the 71-year-old, who is still remembered for his Bollywood flicks.

Soon Babbar, dressed in a white shirt and pant, addressed the crowd, “Assalamu alaikum. Jaise salam ka jawab diya hai aapne, waise vote bhi de dena. (The way you responded to my greetings, similarly, vote for me)”.

Babbar’s outreach, however, is not limited to Muslims alone in the region. In the same village, Babbar also stopped at an Arya Samaj gurukul where the teacher garlanded him.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Babbar said the argument that he is an outsider in Gurgaon, a cosmopolitan city, is ridiculous: “Gurgaon has been developed by outsiders. Moreover, people who have been contesting in different cities are not from that city, thus, this statement is immaterial. We are all Indians. They dwell on these arguments as they have not worked over the past decades and don’t meet people…”

Nuh, which comprises three assembly segments, all represented by the Congress, has 6.2 lakh voters which the party is eyeing to help them put up a fight against BJP candidate and incumbent MP Rao Inderjit Singh. Congress leaders said apart from Muslim votes, they are planning to capitalise on Babbar’s background as a Punjabi to woo that section with over 2 lakh voters. With Captain Ajay Yadav joining the campaigns, they are banking on Yadav votes as well.

Inderjit, who is up for his sixth term, defeated Ajay Yadav in 2019 with a margin of over 4 lakh votes by bagging 61% of the votes polled. However, Babbar thinks this is inconsequential. “This is not 2014 or 2019. The whole nation thinks a change is required…,” he said.

Asked if Ram Mandir would be an issue, he said Ram belongs to all.

On the problems in Gurgaon, Babbar said development is limited to certain infrastructural projects. “There are just roads and high-rises. People are not getting basic amenities. The government is receiving a massive chunk of revenue from Gurgaon but what share is being given to the city?…”

Meanwhile, at Nuh, people said he has been a popular figure since his advent in the film industry. Jafruddin, from Punhana, said he has been supporting the Congress since he was 18. “The party is not communal like the BJP and it takes Muslims along. With Babbar saab as its new candidate, the majority of votes will go to the Congress. Young people have watched his films and it is thrilling to see him up close,” said the 34-year-old, who was travelling behind the cavalcade since 8 am on Tuesday.

Hidayat Khan, an ex-serviceman, also said Babbar’s stint as an actor would amass him supporters in the constituency.

The Congress also raised the Nuh violence to criticise the state government. Speaking to a group in Pinagwan, Babbar said, “Mewatis are not Hindus or Muslims, they identify as Mewatis.”

On the July violence last year and increased cow vigilantism in Nuh, Babbar said right-wing groups tried to create a divide in the area but were unsuccessful. “The people of this area have been living together for 100 years,” he said.