AAP’s Goyal promises regularisation of contract jobs, action against sealing

In his over-15-hour-long campaign, the AAP first-timer met voters ranging from government employees, senior citizens and traders to slum dwellers.

Wearing a Nehru jacket over formals, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) New Delhi candidate Brijesh Goyal on Thursday undertook a campaign from 6am to 9.30pm, starting at Malviya Nagar’s Deer Park and ended it at the Ring Road market, near Bhikaji Cama Place.

AAP candidate Brijesh Goyal interacts with voters at the Malviya Nagar Park. (Sourced)

In his over-15-hour-long campaign, the AAP first-timer met voters ranging from government employees, senior citizens and traders to slum dwellers. His underlying message to all of them remained the same: “Vote for a hardworking and honest MP.”

“I know I am new to all of you, but I will give everything to address your issues with timeliness,” Goyal told a group of senior citizens and joggers at the Malviya Nagar Park. Relaying the same message at RK Puram’s Ravi Dass camp, Hanuman camp and Garhwali Basti, the 43-year old AAP candidate distributed pamphlets to the people he encountered.

Supporters of Goyal, who owns a motor parts shop in Kashmere Gate, shouted one-liners such as “Lekhi kabhi nahi dekhi” (never seen Lekhi), taking a jibe at the sitting MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who is contesting the election for a second time on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket.

In a meeting residents of slum clusters, Goyal assured them a house if voted to power.

In the evening, he held a roadshow in Sarojini Nagar and Laxmi Bai Nagar, where he promised to regularise contractual jobs. “But isn’t that what Kejriwal ji also promised five years ago? We are still on contract despite not changing my job for 13 years,” said 31-year old Vinod Singh, a resident.

In response, Goyal said, “That is why AAP is demanding full statehood. At present, we do not have the power to even appoint or remove a peon. Kejriwal ji had to fight with the Centre and the L-G to get major projects cleared.”

Goyal, a professional yoga teacher, said he is not bogged down by the “heavyweights” pitted against him. “I meditate and do yoga every morning. It keeps me focused and positive. Let them do their campaigning...There is sincerity and honest intention in me when I am seeking votes. I want to actively take up a number of issues in the Parliament, of which sealing would be among the foremost,” he said.