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Following the assembly elections of Delhi in 2020, North-East Delhi was engulfed in intense communal violence, resulting in significant losses on both sides and exacerbating the social and communal divide in the region. This area, marked by its historical scars and uncertain future, is preparing for another electoral showdown in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

 

Communal Division & Developmental Concerns

 

North-East Delhi, with approximately 21 per cent Muslim population, stands out as one of the most vulnerable areas communally. Despite this demographic, the constituency remains sharply divided along communal lines, particularly evident in areas such as Mustafabad, Seelampur, Karawal Nagar, and Ghonda.

 

However, amidst these challenges, North-East Delhi continues to grapple with significant underdevelopment. Despite its status as part of the national capital, the region lacks crucial social and infrastructural development projects, leaving its residents feeling neglected and despondent.

 

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Predominantly consisting of unauthorised colonies and villages, North-East Delhi also shares a border with Uttar Pradesh, attracting a considerable migrant population from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana. This diverse demographic, with its unique socio-economic backgrounds and needs, forms a significant portion of the electorate.

 

Comprising ten assembly seats—Burari, Timarpur, Seemapuri, Rohtas Nagar, Seelampur, Ghonda, Babarpur, Gokalpur, Mustafabad, and Karawal Nagar—the North-East Delhi parliamentary constituency has emerged as a focal point of electoral dynamics, laden with complex challenges and historical burdens.

 

The region's tumultuous past places it at a critical intersection of political attention, communal tensions, and a pressing need for development. With various socio-political forces at play, the forthcoming electoral contest in this area promises to be intriguing.

 

BJP's Grip 

 

North-East Delhi, the largest district in Delhi, boasts a diverse demographic makeup. Scheduled Castes (SC) account for 16.3 per cent, Muslims for 20.74 per cent, Brahmins for 11.61 per cent, Vaishyas (Banias) for 4.68 per cent, Punjabis for 4 per cent, Gujjars for 7.57 per cent, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for 21.75 per cent.

 

 

 

The 2014 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a significant shift, with Manoj Tiwari of the BJP securing 45.38 per cent of the votes, followed by AAP's Anand Kumar at 34.41 per cent, while Congress trailed with just 16.05 per cent.

 

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's position strengthened further, with Manoj Tiwari garnering 53.86 per cent of the votes.

 

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Manoj Tiwari, a two-time Member of Parliament (MP), remains the sole sitting parliamentarian among seven BJP MPs in Delhi, poised to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Notable BJP figures like Harsh Vardhan, Meenakshi Lekhi, Ramesh Bidhuri, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Gautam Gambhir, and Hans Raj Hans were denied tickets.

Manoj Tiwari Vs Who?

 

The political landscape in North-East Delhi remains uncertain as the incumbent BJP representative, Manoj Tiwari, faces no significant challenge. Despite Congress forming an alliance with AAP in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections, it has yet to identify candidates capable of posing a serious threat to Tiwari.

 

Arvinder Singh Lovely, the Delhi Congress president and former minister in the Sheila Dikshit cabinet, emerges as a potential contender.

 

Following him is Sandeep Dikshit, a two-time MP from East Delhi and son of Sheila Dikshit. Despite his mother's loss to Manoj Tiwari in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she secured 29 per cent of the votes, suggesting that Dikshit's legacy may still hold sway, particularly among the extensive Brahmin voter base.

 

Lastly, two potential wildcard candidates, NSUI national in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar and popular Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore, are being considered. Despite Kanhaiya Kumar's controversial image, his eloquence and popularity could potentially sway the balance in his favour.

 

Rathore, known for vocal criticism of the BJP since the Bihar assembly polls, could leverage her popularity and distinctive voice to challenge Manoj Tiwari.