In South Delhi’s Sangam Vihar, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari appeals to Purvanchal sentiments — through songs

Music was a prominent feature as Tiwari took his roadshow into the narrow alleys of Ratiya Colony with two mini-trucks with huge speakers playing campaign songs, many of which were parodies of popular numbers. While Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Dil galti kar baitha hai” became “Mandir ab banne laga hai (building of the temple has started)”, the tune of popular Haryanvi track “Ye Gajban Pani le Challi” was set to the slogan of “Ramvir jeetaga bhai, Bidhuri jeetega bhai.”

As the convey proceeded, several residents came out to their balconies to wave at the two candidates while a few others showered rose petals on them.

It was not smooth sailing throughout, though.

As the march went on, the streets grew congested, with exposed cables and banners blocking the vanity truck’s path. Besides, the ditches dotting the roads had the truck shaking while a persistent cloud of dust created by marching party workers had many covering their faces. The leaders had to switch to an SUV truck after 2 km as the massive vanity van could not pass through the narrow roads.

Surveying the parade, Naushad Qureshi, a Class 12 student, said, “There is just (CM Arvind) Kejriwal here, he is the only one who has worked…”

Idris, who runs a stationery stall in the area, said, “Once the rally is over, they won’t ever show their faces again. The roads have been this way for ages, and numerous authorities have been notified, but to no avail.”

Pan shop owner Manoj Kumar, 41, said, “The biggest issues we are facing are transportation, condition of roads, lack of sewerage and water facilities… we will still support the BJP due to lack of a better alternative.”

Addressing the condition of roads in the area during a jansabha in the area, Tiwari said, “While carrying out the roadshow, we were not able to understand whether there were potholes in the street, or was it a street in a pothole… we saw a mata ji (an elderly woman) sitting on a drain. She said, ‘brother, fix the street’. This time, we will fix the street.”

Blaming Kejriwal for the condition of roads, he said, “First, Delhi struggled during the Congress’ tenure that lasted 15 years, and then, for 10 years, a man came and looted the treasury of Delhi by talking sweetly… look at the condition of your locality; to fix this, ensure Bidhuri’s win from here.”

Appealing to the residents to cast their votes, he said, “Don’t go on a holiday to Vrindavan on May 25; make sure that you vote and turn Delhi into Vrindavan first.”