Going for Cong: "We have no choice, it is majboori"

But this Congress wave seems to be more anti-BJP than pro-Congress. “We do not have an alternative. It is a majboori. We do not want to vote for the BJP,” said Shamsuddin, a businessman from Seelampur.

Navaid Khan, a senior executive in one a leading telecom firms in the country, in Okhla constituency, echoes the sentiment. “I am disappointed with the BJP. Though BJP has never openly threatened us, I will vote for the Congress because there is no choice,” he says. He admits that if the BJP had been strong administratively, he would have considered voting for them.

As usual, the parties have played the Muslim card by fielding Muslim candidates: six have been fielded by the Congress, one by the BJP and 11 by the Janata Dal.

But as far as the lower strata amongst the Muslims is concerned, unless they are popular local candidates, they are not likely to make much headway. These people are more interested in candidates they are familiar with, who are available to get leaking taps repaired and build their stretch of colony streets. “We will vote for Matin Ahmed, though he is an independent, because we know him and he has done a lot for us,” said Shahid Khan, a rickshaw-puller in Seelampur. Ahmed is a rebel Congress candidate and is likely to cut massively into the Congress vote.

As for the women, they are most vocal about the price rise: “How can we vote for a party which has increased the price of onions to an unaffordable Rs 40? Meat is cheaper than that,” said Hamida Begum, who sells bangles in Chandini Chowk. Otherwise the women will vote for whoever their sons or husbands direct them to.

Though a majority of the residents admit that they are voting for the Congress, the signal being sent out is that the Congress should not be taking the Muslim vote for granted this time. “If we see a better candidate in any other party we will vote for them. We have given enough opportunities to the Congress,” said Shahid Mia, a school teacher in Okhla.

In Matia Mahal, they have an option: Shoaib Iqbal, the sitting JD MLA is well-liked by everybody and has managed to draw traditional Congress voters into his camp. “We were a family who have voted for the Congress for the last 50 years, but this time we will vote for Iqbal because at least he has done something for the place,” said 28-year old Rashid, a school teacher in Matia Mahal.

Their alienation from the BJP, however, is complete: “Even if Vajpayee becomes a Muslim, we will not vote for him,” said another resident, who went on to abuse those who want to build a Ram Mandir.

In these constituencies, smaller parties like the JD, the BSP and the Samajwadi Party have fielded candidates. In most areas, the Muslim votes are in the danger of being divided between these parties. To prevent this, most colonies are going to hold colony meetings.

But the message is loud and clear: Congress it is, but with a heavy heart.