Members of the Muslim and Christian communities, who had voted in large numbers for the AAP, rejoiced at the party’s victory Tuesday.
They expressed hope that the capital would see a better government that would be above communal and caste-based politics.
In Muslim majority areas of the walled city, in Okhla and Jamia Nagar in south Delhi, and Trilokpuri and Seemapuri in east Delhi, there was much celebration.
Residents burst fire crackers and distributed sweets and danced to the beat of drums, sporting Aam Aadmi Party caps and waving the party symbol — the broom.
Residents of the walled city, from where AAP’s Alka Lamba won by over 18,000 votes, led victory processions and danced to the tune of “Paanch Saal Kejriwal”.
“We chose AAP on the issues of water, power and basic amenities. But our first priority was to choose a party that will be impartial on caste and community based politics,” Amantulla, a 50-year-old resident of Chandni Chowk, told IANS.
Muslim residents of Triokpuri — which remained under curfew for several days after communal violence broke out during Diwali last year — expressed happiness over the win of AAP candidate Raju Dhingan.
“Finally, truth stood victorious. We are confident that the AAP will solve our problems,” 60-year-old Trilokpuri resident Amina Begum told IANS.
Christians said they were upset over the perceived growing intolerance against the community.
“The growing intolerance against Christians and the complete silence on part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actually led to this debacle for the BJP,” Vivek Masih, who works as a counsel for the Delhi government in Tis Hazari court, told IANS.
“I voted for the AAP because it has secular credentials and this very fact tilted the scale towards them,” he told IANS.
“The BJP and its allies attacking churches in Delhi and elsewhere in the country created a strong sense of fear among the community and they voted for the AAP,” Rajani, who works with St. Stephen’s hospital, told IANS.
“Kejriwal being a common man understands what is required and he is offering a free wifi service in the city, which also attracted me towards his party,” she said.
Amit Gorden, who works with an NGO, said Prime Minister Modi “keeping mum on attacks on Christians is a cause for concern but still I want that people give some more time to the central government to perform,” he said.
“I voted for the AAP because I saw in them an alternative to divisive, destructive and hateful communal politics. India is a diverse and plural country and it should continue to be so,” said Amelia Andrews, a communication expert with an international NGO.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
