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Lok Sabha elections 2019: In North East, Arvind Kejriwal says don’t split votes between AAP, Congress
North East Delhi, according to political parties, has a Muslim vote base of around 23%, and it plays a crucial role in elections. AAP’s Dilip Pandey, the BJP’s Manoj Tiwari and the Congress’ Sheila Dikshit will lock horns.
In his third roadshow in Delhi ahead of the upcoming general elections, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal visited North East Delhi, the Lok Sabha segment with the highest Muslim population, where he intensified his pitch in asking people to ensure that their votes are not split between the Congress and the AAP.
“If you want to cast your vote for the Congress, do it in the future elections. But for this election, make sure your votes do not get split between the AAP and the Congress,” said Kejriwal, addressing a gathering at one of his several stops during Friday’s roadshow.
He said, “May 12 [the day Delhi goes to the polls in a single phase] will be a day of the fast in the month of Ramzan. It will be too hot and I understand that people will be too hungry, thirsty and exhausted to go out and vote. But remember, if the Modi-Shah regime [referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah] returns to power, they will destroy the nation, the land and democracy.”
North East Delhi, according to political parties, has a Muslim vote base of around 23%, and it plays a crucial role in elections. AAP’s Dilip Pandey, the BJP’s Manoj Tiwari and the Congress’ Sheila Dikshit will lock horns.
Friday’s roadshow started around 6pm from Sonia Vihar and passed through Shastri Park, Ravi Nagar and Khajoori to reach Brahmpuri.
“Tiwari ji can dance well, but Pandey ji cannot dance,” said Kejriwal about the current North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari, who is also a Bhojpuri actor and singer.
“But Pandey ji can work. This election, please cast your vote for the person who can work well and not the one who can dance well,” said Kejriwal from the back of an open vehicle, which was followed by around 20 SUVs and around 50 scooters, motorbikes, autorickshaws and e-rickshaws.
As the entourage moved to localities with mixed demography and Muslim-dominated areas in Shastri Park, Khajoori and Ravi Nagar, he changed his campaign pitch and emphasised more on the potential vote split.
