Confusion to end, decision on Aabul Fazal enclave today

With just a month to go for the municipal elections, residents of Abul Fazal Enclave Part II are still unsure whether they will cast their votes for the Okhla or the Sarita Vihar ward. Neelam Pandey and Hamari Jamatia reports.

With just a month to go for the municipal elections, residents of Abul Fazal Enclave Part II are still unsure whether they will cast their votes for the Okhla or the Sarita Vihar ward.

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Though the Returning Officer of South Delhi Corporation (SDC) had divided Abul Fazal Enclave part II between both the wards, political parties have been unhappy. They have asked the commission to review its order.

The commission had stated in its order that blocks E, F, F/A and G that are located adjacent to Sarita Vihar and should form part of that ward, and that blocks A, B, C, D and H, would be part of ward number 206 — Okhla.

With no clear-cut directions on the status of these two wards, the process of creating electoral rolls for them is also being affected, sources said.

Okhla MLA, Asif Khan, is also unhappy with the distribution of voters between the two wards, sources said, adding that political parties wanted the entire area to fall under one ward so it could increase their chance of winning the elections.

“We had divided Abul Fazal Enclave Part II between both the colonies, but we have received a representation from political parties saying that they are unhappy with the division. We will take a decision on it tomorrow,” said Rakesh Mehta.

Sitting councillor of Okhla, Jamaluddin, however, said that the problem was being created by a select few who wanted to contest elections from Abul Fazal Enclave Part II (also known as Shaheen Bagh).

“I’m happy with the division. My ward has 70,000 voters, whereas ward number 208 has only 25,000. Those who want to contest elections from Abul Fazal Enclave want the commission to review the order. The residents, on the other hand are happy with it,” said Jamaluddin.