In Trilokpuri, promises to build new bridge — between people

On October 24, communal tension engulfed the East Delhi constituency, leaving 17 civilians and 40 police personnel injured. Initial findings pointed to a row over a religion tent called ‘mata ki chowki’, where five youth purportedly disrupted a puja. What followed were riots spread over four days, ending in 44 arrests and three FIRs, and of course deaths and loss of property. Politically too, a blame game ensued, with parties blaming one another for starting the riots or fuelling tension.

While peace was soon restored, tear marks on the social fabric of these streets are still visible. Now peace and security top voter priority and candidates too promote “brotherhood” and “harmony”, ahead of infrastructural development.

Three-time MLA from Congress, Brahm Pal began his walkabout from Block 1 on Wednesday. As he made his way, his supporters reminded residents of the tension that prevailed and how it is important that they vote for a “secular” party. “Till 2013, we discussed how to improve infrastructure, build roads, address water and electricity-related issues. During my time, there were no riots and all communities existed in harmony. It took only a year for the matter to go out of control, Brahm Pal told Newsline.

Block 21 houses the office of the BJP. Party representative Kiran Vaidya, wife of late Sunil Kumar Vaidya, has just filed her nomination. A first-time contender, Kiran is visibly nervous, fumbling every now and then as she meets each of her supporters. The late Vaidya was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the riots, when the former MLA was blamed for holding a closed-door meeting at his office, following which, it is alleged, clashes immediately broke out.

However, even as she is hesitant to take his chair, Kiran is quick to defend her husband. “If there was anyone who spoke of peace and respected all communities, it was my husband. I want to get rid of any unwarranted speculation. Advocating the cause of communal harmony will top my agenda” Kiran told Newsline.

AAP’s Raju Dhingan, who won by a large margin of 17,000 votes, too said, “I won from here the last time. But then, the issues were different. We promised flyovers, water lines, drains and subsidised electricity. But following the tension last year, I will first reach out to people to maintain peace. Communities have always existed in harmony in this area. Because of a few mischief-makers, the whole constituency has suffered.”