Ajay Maken, the giant killer
Ajay Maken started off with odds all stacked against him. The seat (New Delhi) was unfamiliar territory and the rival (Jagmohan) a 'titan' with a formidable reputation.
Ajay Maken started off with odds all stacked against him. The seat (New Delhi) was unfamiliar territory and the rival (Jagmohan) a 'titan' with a formidable reputation.
But by the end of the day, the 'CNG man' defeated the 'demolition man' by 12,784 votes. Even the large-scale relocation of slums (more than 55,000 votes) from the New Delhi constituency did not help Jagmohan retain his seat.
While Jagmohan led from Sarojini Nagar and Kasturba Nagar, it was not sufficient to offset the lead of 20,000-odd votes that Maken got from Gole Market, Minto Road and Jangpura segments. Even without the votes from Pushta (3,292), Maken had a comfortable lead of 9,492 votes.
By the fifth round, Maken had taken a good lead and Jagmohan, who was till then sitting in the returning officer’s room, walked out of the polling station. He looked very displeased and asked photographers not to click any more photographs.
After his victory, a relieved Maken talked of the reasons for his victory. "Jagmohan was inaccessible. Though he has done a lot for the city, not much was done for the constituency. Jagmohan should continue to serve the people because he has a vision and knowledge," Maken said.