BJP tries to gain access to Aam Aadmi Party’s strongholds in east, northeast Delhi

NEW DELHI: With less than a week left for polling, BJP has intensified its campaign against Aam Aadmi Party in slums, resettlement and unauthorized colonies—AAP’s strongholds during the assembly election in December.

From door-to-door campaigning to street plays, BJP is going all out to break AAP’s spell in these areas, especially in East and North East Delhi constituencies where this vote bank is likely to play a decisive role. Party workers are telling people about AAP’s 49 days of “misrule” in Delhi. “In these areas we are just talking about AAP. We are trying to spread the message that AAP had misled the people of Delhi. It won from these areas, but didn’t do much for them. Now these people have to pay inflated electricity and water bills,” said a senior leader.

In the last lap of campaigning, East Delhi candidate Maheish Girri will hold a padyatra in these areas. “He is aware of the problems faced by people living in these areas as he has worked here earlier. We want people to know what Kejriwal could have done and what he ultimately did in 49 days,” said a party worker.

Analysts say BJP may not be able to make a dent in this vote bank but its splitting is crucial for the party’s victory in these constituencies. To woo the Poorvanchali voters living in unauthorized colonies, the party has been demanding for some time to make Chhath a public holiday.

After Congress’s rout in Delhi in December, the lower class vote — traditional Congress vote bank — has consolidated in favour of AAP. By targeting AAP in these areas, sources say, BJP is trying to split the vote between AAP and Congress, which has repeated its MPs.

In North East Delhi, too, BJP is focusing on slums and unauthorized colonies. The constituency has a sizable population of Muslim voters. In the assembly election, BJP had won five seats, AAP three and Congress two. BJP has fielded Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari in the constituency to get the Poorvanchali votes. It is also trying to ensure that AAP doesn’t benefit from Congress’s loss, sources said.