Sajjan no longer a pariah

NEW DELHI, November 29: Sajjan Kumar's 15, Rakabganj Road, house has suddenly undergone a sea change and so has his standing in the Congress...

NEW DELHI, November 29: Sajjan Kumar8217;s 15, Rakabganj Road, house has suddenly undergone a sea change and so has his standing in the Congress circles. Till a couple of days ago, not many Congress leaders wanted to be seen with him let alone have him canvass for them, but as soon as he regained Outer Delhi for the Congress, putting 15 MLAs in the new Assembly, even the doors of 10 Janpath have opened for him.

He is no longer a pariah whose company meant losing out on the precious Sikh votes. Sonia8217;s apology to the Sikhs was forgotten this morning as Sajjan Kumar and the winning candidates went to meet her this morning. 8220;Sonia Gandhi ka naam aur Congress workers ka kaam. Hum election jeet gaye Sonia Gandhi8217;s name and hard work of workers and we won the elections,8221; Sajjan Kumar said after the meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

And even though Sheila Dikshit has been projected by the Congress as its choice for the post of Delhi Chief Minister Sajjan Kumar is already chalking out the agenda for Delhi. 8220;Since morning we have been holding meetings and planning what to do for Delhi, thinking of ways to bring down prices and ways to develop Delhi,8221; he told Express Newsline. 8220;But how all this will be done, Sheila Dikshit will tell you,8221; he added.

Supporters of both Sajjan Kumar and ousted Delhi chief minister Sahib Singh are claiming that the near-complete rout of BJP in outer Delhi is their victory. Sahib Singh8217;s supporters insist that he is the undisputed leader in the entire Jat belt and because he was removed from the post of chief minister, Jats decided to vote against the BJP. And Sajjan Kumar8217;s supporters claim that rural Delhi has seen through Sahib Singh8217;s game and thus voted on the lines indicated by the 8220;only Jat leader8221;. 8220;BJP made a mistake by thinking that we would have voted for an outsider in Delhi and giving seats to Om Prakash Chautala8217;s men. The Congress won by over 25,000 votes, one of the largest margins in Bawana assembly constituency,8221; Swarath Ram, a Sajjan-supporter said at his house today.

Sajjan Kumar admitted that he has no 8220;official role8221; to play in the working of the Delhi government. 8220;I and all my supporters in Outer Delhi are behind Sheila Dikshit. Whatever she decides for Delhi, we will do,8221; he said. After meeting Sonia Gandhi, Sajjan Kumar spent the day meeting party workers thanking them for their support. He accompanied winning candidates on their vijay yatras. 8220;This is my duty. They voted for the Congress because I asked them to and now I am going to thank them,8221; he said.