delhi

Updated: Feb 03, 2015 11:53 IST

The BJP’s chief ministerial nominee Kiran Bedi visits her constituency Krishna Nagar every morning but voters of the area still wait for doctor sahab (Harsh Vardhan) to come with her.

Bedi was given this seat as Krishna Nagar is considered to be the safest constituency for her. Union minister Harsh Vardhan had been winning from there since 1993.

But now that he is an MP, his role will be crucial to win this seat for the BJP. The voters of the area are divided as after Harsh Vardhan, they wanted a local to contest and see Bedi as an outsider. Locals feel that it is a tough fight between Bedi and SK Bagga of AAP.

The constituency has a sizeable number of autorickshaw drivers and if they support AAP, it will be a tough call for Bedi. That is the reason Bedi is targeting auto drivers in every roadshow. Mohammad Zahir, an auto driver, said, “We will vote for AAP”.

Residents appear to be upset with Vardhan’s “demotion” in the cabinet reshuffle and denial of ticket to his son.

“We wanted his son to contest from Krishna Nagar but the BJP preferred an outsider. Also, our doctor sahab was demoted in the cabinet. Though he still comes and meets us despite being an MP and minister. We do not want Bedi to win from here but want to see the BJP in power in Delhi,” said Vikram Chaudhary, a resident of Krishna Nagar, who has been voting for the BJP for two decades.

Another question that puzzles the residents of Krishna Nagar is why does a PM have to step down and lock horns with a former CM? Vijay Sharma, resident of South Anarkali colony says, “It does not suit a PM to stoop this low and start competing for the CM seat, yeh unko shobha nahi deta.”

Pawan Bhaskar, a BJP worker said, “If a central minister wanted it couldn’t he get a seat for his son? Plus the selection of candidates is the leadership’s decision. We as workers are confident that Bedi will win from Krishna Nagar.” He was reticent on workers dissatisfaction and said all was “normal.”

Bedi may get the support of women voters and the decision of VK Monga, who had contested against Harsh Vardhan in the last assembly election, to support Bedi may go in her favour. Most people in the area knew Kiran Bedi was an IPS officer and a social activist. But they also remember that she had pledged never to join politics. Her induction into the BJP has raised questions about her integrity.