The key to the largest Assembly constituency in Delhi — Matiala — lies in the hands of its rural voters. With over 30 villages having a sizeable vote share, the winner in the West Delhi seat will have to capture the hearts and votes of its rural residents.
While the area is dominated by Jat, Ahir and Tyagi communities, over 100 unauthorised colonies also dot the constituency, that are home to migrants, including Poorvanchalis.
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Rajesh Gahlot won in 2013 by a small margin of 4,002 votes, beating Aam Aadmi Party’s Gulab Singh. Mr. Gahlot and Mr. Singh are joined by former Congress MLA Sumesh Shokeen in the top-three contenders this time.
Political workers in the area observe that Mr. Singh could have turned the table had he performed better among his own community in 2013. Mr. Singh, however, said he lost by a small margin as several voters who will vote for him this time did not do so in 2013 as “surveys on TV did not show the AAP doing very well last time”.
While door-to-door campaigning is on, Mr. Singh added that rural voters are already supporting him.
Water is one of the major concerns in Matiala, with each candidate promising relief. The contentious Munak canal dispute with Haryana may finally be resolved soon and parties are lining up to take credit for the same.
Mr. Shokeen said infrastructure required for piped water supply was laid during his tenure. “I want to start off development work from where I left it. Development work in unauthorised colonies is my priority,” he said.
He added that he was confident about winning. “I am the competition for others. I know local issues and have worked for the people. The BJP is campaigning under Modi ji ’s name, but the Prime Minister won’t come to work in unauthorised colonies.”
Mr. Gahlot, a former municipal councillor, could not be reached for his comment.
