GST, sealing key issues in Chandni Chowk

New Delhi: Slamming both the AAP government and BJP government for their incompetent attitude towards traders in Chandni Chowk constituency, a chunk of traders is taking sealing and GST issues way too seriously in this election.

However, others are disagreeing with it and could not keep themselves separated from the ongoing trend of national politics as the issue of nationalism has overshadowed local and important issues like pollution, sealing, and employment in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Amit Goel, a trader in Paharganj, said: “We were disappointed with AAP who, despite having all the MLAs in this constituency, has failed to get any relaxation for traders during the sealing drive and most of them even failed to deliver their promises. Even sitting MP and Union minister Harsh Vardhan didn’t turn up to help traders during their time of distress.”

While criticising the Modi government, Bhushan, a small scale factory owner, said: “Hyper nationalism will not serve the purpose. A nation can become strong only with employment and good economy. BJP government has hit our business badly after GST was imposed and sealing has ruined our business. People have lost their jobs and they are talking about foreign investments and international relations. For a poor person, food, water, job, and basic amenities matter, not war mongering.”

However, a wave of nationalism and the recent announcement of Masood Azhar being a global terrorist by the UN have influenced voters. “We suffered loss in our business during demonetisation and the sealing drive. However, our loss seems minimal when we saw the coffins of our brave soldiers after Pulwama attack. The way the BJP government responded with the Balakot air strike was commendable. We are not happy with Dr Harsh Vardhan. But when we compare Modi with his predecessors, we are forced to give Modi another chance as national security should be our main focus,” said Mr Rakesh Mehra, a shopkeeper in Tota Ram Bazar.

BJP has fielded sitting MP and Union minister Dr Harsh Vardhan from this seat while Congress is relying on four-time MP JP Aggarwal. AAP has fielded Pankaj Gupta, who is yet to make a mark upon the people.

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