There’s a new kind of atmosphere prevalent in the Delhi’s MCD elections. Middleclass people have decided to take up their cause themselves only by jumping in the poll fray. Individuals from various walks of life such as medical and legal professionals, housewives, accountants & also not to forget the retired officials are aspiring to become municipal councilors on different motivational grounds.

Earlier it was the strongmen who used to plunge into tricky game of ‘elections’ in order to gain local foothold but with the increase in number of wards fro 134 to 272, the poll scenario has changed somewhat. People are thronging the local offices of major political parties in order to fill up an application form in order to get party nomination. Various reasons are being given by different people to fight the elections, for instance, some of them want to gain prestige & privilege in the society that comes with the elections. Some individuals are of the opinion that they can better understand the local problems of their areas and solve them adequately better than any other strange councilors who sometimes completely neglect their tribulations. People retired from the professional service provide the raison d’etre of being actively contributing back to the society.

In some of the municipal wards, families are actively associated in organizing awareness or cultural programs in their society. Besides that many NGO’s are also gunning for a party ticket. It has been a herculean task for the major parties in scrutinizing application forms as the addition of new wards in the coming municipal elections have filled people with a look of sanguinity and confidence. Another remarkable aspect of the election is that women aspirants have increased considerably which shows not only their level of political awareness but also a sense of poise in themselves.

Image credit : cwprs.gov.in/clientele.htm

Via: Times of India (The main source was the print edition of The Times of India dated March 9, 2007)