04-10-2009, 07:35 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Advantage shifts to BJP in Delhi</b>
pioneer.com
Sidharth Mishra/Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi
For gaining seats in Punjab, the Congress has fumbled in its strategy in the battle for Delhi. From a win-all situation in Delhi, the Congress is now battling to save maximum number of seats in the Capital. While replacements have to be found for Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar on North-East and South Delhi seats respectively, panic has spread in the party, which has even led to the talk of reshuffling some of the existing candidates.
A final decision on candidates would be taken only after Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit returns to the city as she is out campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. According to sources in Dikshit camp, a clear picture would emerge only on Saturday. Filing of nominations starts from Monday.
The problems for the Congress arise from the fact that both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were sitting MPs and seen as formidable candidates with ability to win. Their departure from the poll scene is set to demoralise party rank and file. It has also added to the worries of the Chief Minister, who would now have to work overtime to retain partyâs hold over the voters. In Tytler and Sajjan, she had two candidates who were capable of putting their poll machinery in place.
Post-delimitation, the party stands weakened in Chandni Chowk and New Delhi. <b>Kapil Sibal is rapidly losing ground in Chandni Chowk </b>Â <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> and it would not certainly be a repeat of 2003, when the BJP virtually gave him a walkover. In New Delhi, <b>Ajay Maken has been engaged in a pitch battle with BJP veteran Vijay Goel</b> <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> . In the reserved North-West Delhi too, there is a close battle on the cards. Given the situation, the withdrawal of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from the contest has led to handing over advantage to the BJP.
The crisis management team in the Chief Ministerâs camp on Thursday maintained that there was a possibility of fielding a Vaish or a Muslim from the North-East seat. This could mean a ticket for two known Sheila followers â Narendra Nath or Chowdhary Mateen Ahmed, both MLAs for several terms. While there has been a talk of <b>shifting party candidate from West Delhi Mahabal Mishra to North-East, given the large concentration of Poorvanchal votes in the area</b>, Mishra himself is believed to have told the leadership that his campaign had gained momentum and would stick to the West Delhi seat.
For the South Delhi seat, ideally the party would like to replace Sajjan Kumar with another Jat leader. In that situation, Speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha Yoganand Shastri may get the nod. He represents Mehrauli in the Assembly, which is part of the South Delhi parliamentary constituency. There is also pressure to further assuage the Sikh feelings by fielding somebody from their community. In that case reputed lawyer <b>KTS Tulsi </b>may be considered but his would be a weak candidature. <b>Both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler could also push for the candidature of their sons Jag Pravesh and Siddharth respectively</b>.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Delhi fight will be interesting. As of now, BJP can win 4-5 seats. Sikhs will vote for BJP now, even Sheila Dixit tries her nose rubbing on floor in any Gurudwara.
pioneer.com
Sidharth Mishra/Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi
For gaining seats in Punjab, the Congress has fumbled in its strategy in the battle for Delhi. From a win-all situation in Delhi, the Congress is now battling to save maximum number of seats in the Capital. While replacements have to be found for Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar on North-East and South Delhi seats respectively, panic has spread in the party, which has even led to the talk of reshuffling some of the existing candidates.
A final decision on candidates would be taken only after Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit returns to the city as she is out campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. According to sources in Dikshit camp, a clear picture would emerge only on Saturday. Filing of nominations starts from Monday.
The problems for the Congress arise from the fact that both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were sitting MPs and seen as formidable candidates with ability to win. Their departure from the poll scene is set to demoralise party rank and file. It has also added to the worries of the Chief Minister, who would now have to work overtime to retain partyâs hold over the voters. In Tytler and Sajjan, she had two candidates who were capable of putting their poll machinery in place.
Post-delimitation, the party stands weakened in Chandni Chowk and New Delhi. <b>Kapil Sibal is rapidly losing ground in Chandni Chowk </b>Â <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> and it would not certainly be a repeat of 2003, when the BJP virtually gave him a walkover. In New Delhi, <b>Ajay Maken has been engaged in a pitch battle with BJP veteran Vijay Goel</b> <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> . In the reserved North-West Delhi too, there is a close battle on the cards. Given the situation, the withdrawal of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar from the contest has led to handing over advantage to the BJP.
The crisis management team in the Chief Ministerâs camp on Thursday maintained that there was a possibility of fielding a Vaish or a Muslim from the North-East seat. This could mean a ticket for two known Sheila followers â Narendra Nath or Chowdhary Mateen Ahmed, both MLAs for several terms. While there has been a talk of <b>shifting party candidate from West Delhi Mahabal Mishra to North-East, given the large concentration of Poorvanchal votes in the area</b>, Mishra himself is believed to have told the leadership that his campaign had gained momentum and would stick to the West Delhi seat.
For the South Delhi seat, ideally the party would like to replace Sajjan Kumar with another Jat leader. In that situation, Speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha Yoganand Shastri may get the nod. He represents Mehrauli in the Assembly, which is part of the South Delhi parliamentary constituency. There is also pressure to further assuage the Sikh feelings by fielding somebody from their community. In that case reputed lawyer <b>KTS Tulsi </b>may be considered but his would be a weak candidature. <b>Both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler could also push for the candidature of their sons Jag Pravesh and Siddharth respectively</b>.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Delhi fight will be interesting. As of now, BJP can win 4-5 seats. Sikhs will vote for BJP now, even Sheila Dixit tries her nose rubbing on floor in any Gurudwara.