What do the Voters of Shaheen Bagh say about the 2025 Delhi Elections?

People credit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with implementing various welfare schemes and infrastructure improvements. Habeeb, a shop owner who has lived in the area for over 20 years, acknowledges the progress, stating, "50 percent kaam hua, jis hisaab se karna chahiye waisa kiya nahi lekin hua hai."(some work has been done but not at the pace at which it should be done). However, he also points out delays in project completion. Many residents, including Shakeela, recognize that the benefits of AAP’s policies are reaching the people, though they believe improvements are still needed, particularly in the sewer system.

Infrastructure development, particularly in healthcare and education, has been a key focus of AAP’s governance. Khalid Ali, a resident since 1994, compares their work to previous governments, stating, "Dispensary aur school acha kiya, Congress ke mukaable."(AAP has improved schools and dispensaries in comparison to Congress). The introduction of schemes like free electricity for up to 200 units has also been well received.

Students like Naaz acknowledge the appeal of free services, remarking, "Free cheezein kisko achi nahi lagti?" (Who doesn’t want free things) However, she also highlights that political parties tend to prioritize development in areas where they receive strong voter support. Adding to this, Uzair comments, "It’s a cynical view, but it’s true that religion plays a role in the development of certain areas."

Despite noticeable improvements compared to previous governments, some residents feel that critical issues remain unaddressed. Salma expresses frustration over delays and the frequent excuse of funding shortages, stating, "Kehte hain karenge, lekin fir central fund nahi de rahi ka bahana." Water supply and road conditions remain problematic, according to several interviewees.

Uzair, a long-time resident of Jahangirpuri, praises AAP’s governance as a "perfect buffer," but criticizes the Congress for its biases. However, he also acknowledges that poor infrastructure continues to be a major challenge.

Safety, especially for women, remains a pressing concern. While some, like Habeeb, believe "safety toh hai for women,"(there is safety for women), others, such as Inshiya and Salma, strongly disagree, asserting that Delhi is still not entirely safe. Inshiya notes that security concerns are not just limited to her locality but extend across the city. Additionally, there is a general sentiment that criminal activity persists regardless of which party is in power. Twjammul Hussain, a long-time resident, remarks, "Gunda gardi sabke daur mein rehte hain, police center ke under hai toh dikkat hogi hi." (Hooliganism is prevalent in every party’s rule and police under center is a problem for us).

Several respondents also hinted at a fear of speaking openly about political matters. Statements like "Camera ke aage koi kuch nahi keh paata" and "Interview denge toh bohot maar padegi" suggest a sense of apprehension regarding political expression and potential repercussions.

Elections and political rivalries significantly influence governance decisions. Khalid Ali notes that AAP’s initiatives may be strategically timed to counter competition but it is fine as the government has been making amenities free for the public from before also, stating, "Election ke time karna koi problem nahi hai competition face karne ke liye." (It is okay to announce freebies at the time of election to counter competition).

Twjammul Hussain highlights AIMIM’s growing support, particularly due to its candidate Shafi ur Rehman’s presence during the CAA and NRC protests. He states, "AIMIM ko vote denge, uske bacche (Shafi ur Rehman) kitne pareshan hain." (We will vote for AIMIM, His (Shafi Ur Rehman) kids are going through a lot”. While he acknowledges that AAP’s work has been satisfactory, he believes AIMIM candidates must now fulfill their promises and build upon the foundation laid by the previous government. Support for AIMIM was also evident in statements like, "Patang waala aaiga toh saara kaam hoga, Insha'Allah." (God willing, AIMIM will be elected and do the work)

Meanwhile, Inshiya, a young woman born and raised in Delhi, supports Congress despite her family's differing political views. However, when asked about her allegiance, she struggles to pinpoint specific reasons beyond her association with Rahul Gandhi.

When we asked a shopkeeper about the elections, he refused to comment. However, he said that within families, there's a clear divide—some are voting based on regional identity, while others are influenced by the CAA-NRC protests and sympathy for the movement's organizers. Yet, almost no one is voting based on development, showing that emotions and identity matter more than governance in this election.

Ground Report by: Nausheen Ali Nizami, Inaaya Haque and Mohammad Hesham Atik for TJR
Photos by: Burhan Junaid Darfo r TJR