Delhi Polls: Goswami faces uphill task to retain Rajinder Nagar seat

A strong wave of anti-incumbency, infightings within Congress coupled with familiar problems like blocked drains, clogged roads, erratic water supply and unplanned growth may make it an uphill task for Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami to retain his Rajinder Nagar seat.

Predominantly a settlement of Punjabi refugees, Rajinder Nagar has been a BJP stronghold before the 2008 assembly election and it has fielded R P Singh, being considered a formidable opponent to Goswami.

Before Goswami, BJP's Puran Chand Yogi had represented the constituency since 1993 and was expected to win in the last election as well. He had allegedly committed suicide a month before the polls following which his widow Asha was fielded.

Goswami, who had represented Patel Nagar constituency twice, has had a not-so-impressive response from the residents as a section of them feel he did nothing in the first four years of his tenure to address the "pressing problems" in the area.

A significant section in the Congress had even strongly opposed giving ticket to Goswami referring to an internal report that had said the party will suffer defeat if he is selected.

The problem of sewage and drainage still remains a major concern for residents of the area. The area has expanded vertically but the residents complain that the sewage capacity has remained the same.

"Sewer lines should have been changed. Most of the sewers are not cleaned regularly resulting in blockage and overflowing," said a resident, who did not wish to be identified.

"The MLA sometimes says it is not his work but the work of MCD. But even the MCD refuses to change it and blames it on PWD. At times, there is no one we can go to," he said.

Some residents were scathing in their criticism of Goswami as they said he had initiated development works only in the past one year apparently in view of the approaching elections.