Politicians are more concerned about their own interests or seem to work for a certain community in their constituency, a majority of Delhiites surveyed recently said.
Only 23 per cent of respondents said their local municipal councillor and their MLA was concerned about the entire ward or constituency. Around 66 per cent of those polled said their municipal corporator and their MLA were only concerned about one community in the constituency or his or her own interests.
North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor and Karol Bagh ward councillor Ravinder Gupta admitted the image of politicians had taken a beating, but blamed the Aam Aadmi Party for it.
“The perception of the political class is that we are all corrupt and that we don’t work for the welfare of the people. But, this is what the AAP has been saying. The promises they made during the campaign have been forgotten,” said Mr. Gupta.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and young leaders in the BJP were trying to change the reputation of politicians. “As the Prime Minister inspired youngsters to come out and participate in the elections, we will get a new crop of youngsters interested in politics. They will change the perception,” said Mr. Gupta.
However, not everyone agreed that the situation was indeed that grim for Delhi’s netas . Congress councillor and leader of the Opposition in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation Farhad Suri said he disagreed with the findings of the survey.
“I don’t agree that politicians don’t work for their entire constituency.
At least, Congress party members always strive to serve all in the constituency that elected them,” said Mr. Suri.
Though Delhiites were unconvinced about their councillors and MLAs, they turned up to vote, whether in municipal polls, State elections or the Lok Sabha polls. Participation in all three elections was over 83 per cent among respondents.
But, hardly any respondents attended political parties events or rallies, with 53 per cent saying they had never been to such a programme.
