On bus to East, opinions lurch between AAP, BJP

For many, a trip on the bus which plies between New Delhi and Krishna Nagar is more than a journey between two prized constituencies — it’s their life’s rhythm.

From Central Secretariat to the heartlands of East Delhi, the bus carries the city’s lower middle-class. There are harassed petitioners and students, small traders, businessmen, retired people wrapping up errands and the woman who sells samosas at a bus terminus. This bus links two Delhis.

Conductor Anil Kumar Sharma, a veteran of swiftly handling cash since 1983, likes AAP and says it will “do very well”. To taxi driver Chanu Singh, returning from a shift, it is “essentially AAP”.

From these working men, AAP’s appeal goes up a notch, to a woman student. “I think AAP should get a chance and I think they will get a chance. I feel they will work their promises out this time,” says Palak.

Renu Sharma, who takes Bharatanatyam classes in New Delhi, says Kejriwal’s AAP was better than the BJP till Kiran Bedi’s entry.
“BJP now has my vote”. A home maker from Lakshmi Nagar agrees: “BJP will benefit from Bedi’s entry, I hope so.”

There are three petitioners travelling together, who work in Jamia Hamdard, going to Karkardooma with their problems of “being terminated after 15 years of contractual service.

“When we went to AAP, they helped us and showed us how to challenge our termination. Kejriwal cares for the needy.”

Half way through this straw poll, it emerges that AAP has been able to keep its hold over the lower middle-class and the poorer sections. Munawwar Khan speaks of how “the water mafia was controlled when Kejriwal was the CM” and how the “police were scared of taking bribes”.

Usha, who sells samosas at Janpath, feels AAP is a “a new force” that will help improve her lot.” Ashok Pandey, in a marketing jobs, says “Kiran Bedi will make no difference. She had said such terrible things about Modi, she is a turncoat.”

BJP’s supporters here, appear a little overwhelmed by the assertive AAP voters. Some women supporters, among them two teachers, say it is actually Kiran Bedi who embodies the best of AAP and the BJP. “She will understand our problems and fix this city,” one says.

Two finance students, Sudipta and Deepti, say they “don’t trust Kejriwal any more”. Outshouting everyone now is Manoj Kumar, a jeweller: “Modi will win, and Kiran Bedi will be CM.” A fellow passenger chimes in: “Otherwise, there will be a cat-dog situation. Constant fighting.”

Then comes a sober, if lonely, voice from a government servant getting off at Karkari Mor. “I am upset with the way voters keep changing. Congress did all the work and made this a liveable city.”