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Gurugram: Congress, BJP nominees woo traders, professionals ahead of elections

In Badshahpur Market, Congress candidate for the constituency, Vardhan Yadav has promised to address local civic issues such as poor roads, bad sanitation and power outages, if elected as MLA

Published on: Sep 28, 2024, 17:26:38 IST
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Gurugram’s markets have become key battlegrounds for political pitches as election fever grips the city with barely days left for the polling day. Congress candidate from the Gurgaon constituency Mohit Grover received overwhelming support from local shopkeepers and traders during his visit to Sadar Bazar on Friday. In another part of the city, another Congress nominee, Vardhan Yadav, garnered similar support from local traders when he visited the Badshahpur market as part of his election outreach.

Congress candidate from the Badshahpur seat Vardhan Yadav surrounded by his supporters during a roadshow. (Parveen kumar / HT Photo)
Congress candidate from the Badshahpur seat Vardhan Yadav surrounded by his supporters during a roadshow. (Parveen kumar / HT Photo)

Grover’s padayatra (foot march) began from his office on Railway Road and as his supporters reached Sadar Bazar, a massive crowd gathered in support. Chants of “Congress Zindabad” echoed through the market as Grover visited each shop, greeting traders and seeking votes.

Mukul Sharma, a garment shop owner in Sadar Bazar said, “We have been facing issues with poor infrastructure and inadequate security for a long time. We believe that Grover, with the backing of the Congress party, can bring in changes needed to boost our businesses.”

Grover assured the traders that under a Congress government, every concern of the business community would be addressed.

“Sadar Bazar is one of Gurugram’s most iconic trading hubs, but it is marred by unresolved issues. When Congress forms the government, we will ensure that every problem faced by traders here is resolved,” he said during his visit.

He also urged the traders to vote for the Congress in the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, in Badshahpur Market, Congress candidate for the constituency, Vardhan Yadav promised to address local civic issues, such as poor roads, bad sanitation and power outages.

Arun Yadav, an electronics distributor in Badshahpur, said, “Vardhan Yadav has shown commitment to solving the problems we face. Unlike other candidates, he has visited us multiple times, listened to our grievances and promised swift action if elected.”

Yadav’s supporters have been rallying behind him and highlighting his proactive approach to problem-solving.

“He is not just making promises, he is out there engaging with people, understanding core issues and giving us confidence that he can deliver on poll promises,” the Badshahpur-based distributor said.

In recent weeks, Yadav has been visiting various local forums, from residential societies to market associations, outlining his plans for a better Badshahpur. He has emphasised that, if elected, his primary focus will be on eradicating corruption and ensuring that the city’s long-standing issues, such as waterlogging, blocked sewers, and poor infrastructure, are no longer neglected.

Yadav’s campaign has also extended to door-to-door visits, where he interacts with families and listens to their grievances. This grassroot-level engagement has fostered a sense of trust and confidence among voters, who believe Yadav is genuinely invested in making a difference. Sangeeta Gupta, a homemaker in Sector 66, said, “He is not just making lofty promises. He’s taking the time to listen to us and provide realistic solutions.”

  • Leena Dhankhar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Leena Dhankhar

    Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More