They would like AAP to jolt Modi, unless it jolts itself - The Indian Express

Garment manufacture shop; Sangam Vihar has some 10,000.

The view from Sangam Vihar shows both sides of the big picture — one depicts why AAP will take Delhi this time, and the other tells you why it may yet fall short.

According to residents in Asia’s largest illegal colony, AAP has managed to claim more BJP territory over the last year while Narendra Modi’s party has struggled to dent the “aam aadmi” vote bank. But they also warn that if anyone can defeat Arvind Kejriwal’s party, it’s the enemy within: its emphasis on “aam” can turn off voters who might feel left out of that definition.

In 2008, BJP’s Dr S C L Gupta became the first elected representative from this pocket after it became a separate constituency. In 2013, a decisive chunk of Sangam Vihar’s 1.37 lakh voters went AAP’s way with Dinesh Mohaniya unseating Dr Gupta.

This time, several voters The Indian Express speaks to believe that “the BJP must face defeat to prevent it from becoming a dictatorial force.”

“Modi needs to be taught a lesson. He has been winning all along, and it is important that he gets a jolt,” says Sudheer Agrawal, a property dealer, adding he voted for BJP last time.

What appears to have boosted AAP’s chances are memories of its 49-day government after the last elections. While auto-drivers say police stopped harassing them during that period, residents reveal that they were never refused rides or overcharged on auto-rickshaws at the time. It was also a period, residents say, when brokers disappeared from outside the Motor Vehicle Authority office in Saket, and the municipal authorities never harassed them “even if we laid an extra plinth in our homes”.

Then again, residents say they still prefer Modi as Prime Minister but find Kejriwal a better bet for chief minister. “I did not particularly enjoy his 49 days, but let’s give him another chance,” says an assistant professor at Delhi University.

As for traders, traditionally strong supporters of BJP, they are worried about their prospects under AAP but are also viewing BJP with suspicion. Small manufacturers and traders say that while the Congress government let everyone flourish, they fear the BJP will favour only a select few. “Congress’s donation came from all sections, so they had to please all. BJP is happy with a few top companies, there is no space for smaller business now,” says Agrawal.

Saroon Malik, a garment manufacturer, notes that his market has been badly hit over the last few months. “There is little growth these days. I don’t know what the intention of this BJP government is,” he says.

Sangam Vihar has an estimated 10,000 small or medium garment workshops that accept orders from various firms and stitch material for export. Workers here say their work is facing a slump these days.

Although AAP could not win a single Lok Sabha seat in continued…