AAP’s Aadil Khan is locked in the multi-cornered contest with Mohan Singh Bisht of the BJP, Ali Mehdi of Congress and the former councillor and AIMIM candidate Tahir Hussain
Ground Report
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The absence of employment opportunities, lack of asphalted roads, hygiene, and an inadequate system of potable water supply are the major issues for the people of Mustafabad constituency as the electorate gets ready to exercise their franchise in the February 5 Delhi elections.
Denying a ticket to sitting MLA Haji Yunus, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Aadil Khan from the predominantly Muslim locality. Several residents Clarion India spoke to this week were all praise for the “good work” of the AAP government in providing free electricity, water and extending other facilities.
Aadil Khan is locked in the multi-cornered contest with Mohan Singh Bisht of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ali Mehdi of Congress and the former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who is languishing in jail in the alleged 2020 Delhi riots cases. Hussain is trying his luck on the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) ticket.
“People are distressed as they are not getting employment. In this area, no work has been done. There is also no system of cleanliness. There are no facilities here. There is nothing here,” said Mohammed Nizam, a tailor in the constituency’s Nehru Vihar area.
He described the sitting MLA Yunus as “worthless,” bitterly commenting that no candidate comes back to the area after winning an election. “Before Yunus, Jagdish Pardhan was the MLA. He was also worthless. In the past, some work was done. Now, nothing is happening,” he said.
Praising Congress candidate Ali Mehdi, he said the candidate’s father initiated some developmental projects in the constituency.
Ali’s father, Hasan Mehdi, was a Congress MLA from the constituency twice; in 2008 and 2013.
“There should be cleanliness, asphalted roads and clean drinking water. Sewers should be placed. Basic amenities should be available,” he said, Nizam said.
But Sabir, another resident, seemed satisfied with the AAP government providing free water and electricity. “Roads have been constructed and more will be constructed in the future. The government has taken care of these main issues,” he said.
Another resident, Waseem, also wants improved roads and an adequate sewage system. He alleged that the police take bribes when new houses are constructed in the area and when water connection is made available.
“Youths are idling their time on the streets as there are no sources of employment. No candidate, whether from AAP, BJP and Congress, talks about this important issue; all talk about electricity and water. These are subsidiary issues. Unemployment is the core problem,” he said.
He suggested job openings for women instead of doling out Rs 2,100 in cash per month. He said sub-standard material is used in asphalting roads and they cave in immediately. This is a perennial problem, he said.
Diwan, a young delivery boy, expressed his disappointment with the works of all previous MLAs elected from his constituency. He feels that the BJP candidate Bisht is in a comfortable position.
“Haji Yunus was the MLA for five years. What has he done? Nothing. The upcoming MLA will also think that he won’t have to do anything as the previous MLA has also done nothing,” said Diwan.
Diwan said there were no government facilities in his area, not even the much-touted Mohalla Clinic. Ailing residents have to go long distances to get proper treatment, he said.
He said he was forced to work as a delivery boy as there was no other source of employment. “People are not getting good jobs even after getting educated. No party is working in this regard,” he lamented.
