LS battle intensifies as BJP, Congress candidates file papers
Ms Dikshit, who had been opposing any alliance with AAP, said she was confident that her party will do better in these polls.
New Delhi: Three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit, former Union minister Ajay Maken, sitting MP Meenakshi Lekhi, boxer Vijender Singh, cricketer Gautam Gambhir and Sufi singer Hansraj Hans were among several prominent figures who filed their nominations on the last day on Tuesday.
All seven candidates of the Congress — former Delhi minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, former Delhi Congress chief Jai Prakash Agarwal, Mr Maken, Delhi Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia, former Cong MP Mahabal Mishra along with Ms Dikshit and Mr Vijender Singh filed their papers.
Ms Dikshit, who had been opposing any alliance with AAP, said she was confident that her party will do better in these polls. Both chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Mr Maken had gone on record saying that if alliance was not forged between AAP and Congress, it will split anti-BJP votes and give an edge to saffron outfit in all the seven seats.
“We will win these elections.” Ms Dikshit is going to take on BJP state unit chief and MP Manoj Tiwari from Northeast seat. On the other hand, Mr Maken and former city minister Arvinder Singh Lovely had been in favour of the alliance.
Talking to reporters, Ms Dikshit, who has been fielded from Northeast Delhi, said: “I have sentiments attached to this seat as I had fought my first election in Delhi from this seat.”
Ms Dikshit had contested from East Delhi constituency in 1998, but faced defeat. The seat included parts of Northeast Delhi at that time.
Talking to reporters, Mr Gambhir, who has been pitted against Mr Lovely and AAP’s Atishi Marlena from East Delhi, said that he is focusing on winning and not on his rival candidates. “My aim is to make East Delhi one of the best parts of the city after winning the polls. I am beginning an innings of honesty under leadership of Narendra Modi. I have no competition with other candidates in the fray and I am here to share my vision with people of East Delhi. I am going to the people with a positive agenda,” he said.
Vijender Singh, who is contesting from South Delhi, said he will focus on issues related to youth and sports. He said: “I am genuinely concerned about employment, which I think is a prominent issue for the youth. And being a sportsperson, I am also keen on working towards developing sports infrastructure.
Asked why he opted for the Congress, Mr Vijender Singh said: “I relate to the ideology and the leadership. As is propagated by our leadership, I want to be a friend of the electorate. I don’t wish to be the ‘neta’ that visits once in five years.”
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