Kaushambi RWA to field own candidate in Ghaziabad civic polls
The measure is seen as a unique step in which a locality has embarked upon to field a candidate of its own.
Peeved at the alleged apathy of the former councillors towards their colony, the apex body of RWAs - Kaushambi Apartment Residents’ Welfare Association is fielding its own candidate in the upcoming municipal elections.
The measure is seen as a unique step in which a locality has embarked upon itself to field a candidate of its own. Generally, candidates contest from political parties or contest elections as independent or from lesser-known parties.
The office bearers of KARWA said that they came upon the decision after deliberation during their recent executive committee meeting of the association on October 18.
“This is because we feel we have been let down by representatives of various parties. We had been longing for streetlights, roads and to get rid of unhygienic conditions. As a result, we had to move to courts like Allahabad High Court and also to the National Green Tribunal to get even the basic amenities. After the court directions we got streetlights, got the desilting of drains and even got drains constructed,” said VK Mittal, president, KARWA.
“We are still contesting petition in NGT against polluted surroundings of our area. Seeing this, we realised that if we, as residents, have to do all this and fight, then why not let our candidate be chosen who will make our voices heard in the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation,” he added.
The RWA also sent out WhatsApp messages to other 22 RWAs in Kaushambi. It is estimated that Kaushambi has nearly 3,500 voters and comprise of an estimated population of nearly 10,000 in Ward 72.
What may also disturb the voter equations of other candidates is the fact that Kaushambi is now an independent ward after the delimitation. Earlier, it was a combined ward with nearby locality of Bhovapur village. The latter has now merged with nearby Simant Vihar.
KARWA says it will be a tough fight for other candidates as they have already started preparations with handbills, banners, WhatsApp messages, e-mails and there will be an annual general body meeting (GBM).
“The candidate will be formally introduced in the GBM on October 29,” Mittal added.
Residents have also welcomed the move of KARWA which has nominated its own independent candidate.
“Around 22 high-rises and other residents of Kaushambi want improvement in conditions. We will also request the other nearby plot area residents to come for the meeting. We hope they will also support the move. There are some areas of Vaishali included in the ward as well. We will be requesting them to support the decision,” said Raja Mani, a Kaushambi resident.
“We feel that everybody will support us. We have proposed a candidate and the name will be put forward in the GBM,” he added.
The Kaushambi high-rises are located in Ghaziabad, next to Anand Vihar in Delhi. It is surrounded by ISBT Anand Vihar, ISBT Kaushambi, Vaishali and Sahibabad Industrial Area.
