Master plan works for Maken

While campaigning for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat during the last two months, Ajay Maken always had the poise of a winner.

Ajay Maken (45), Congress

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Winner: New Delhi by 1,87,809 votes

While campaigning for the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat during the last two months, Ajay Maken always had the poise of a winner.

But on Saturday afternoon, by when his victory was a foregone conclusion, even Maken was surprised.

“I had expected to win but the large number of votes I have got is unexpected,” Maken said. He won the seat defeating BJP’s Vijay Goel by more than 1.8 lakh votes.

Maken had also staged a big upset in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections by defeating BJP stalwart Jagmohan. However, this election was not expected to be a cakewalk for him.

Post-delimitation, the New Delhi constituency included areas like Karol Bagh, Delhi Cantt, Moti Nagar, Greater Kailash and Malviya Nagar that were hitherto considered BJP strongholds.

The Congress wave in the Capital meant Maken polled a considerable share of votes in these areas as well.

Q) What will be your priority for your constituency?

Implementing the Master Plan of Delhi in such a way that clauses regarding environment improvement can be implemented. Safety and security of women is also a priority.

Q) What do you think went in your favour?

Three factors: the good work done by the Centre, the state government and also the work I have done as a candidate. With any of these factors missing, I wouldn’t have won.