NE Delhi singed by memories of violence

New Delhi: Mustafabad, one of the worsthit areas in the February 2020 riots in North East Delhi, is singed by the memories of violence and many think it will have a bearing on the MCD polls. December 4 will see the first election in the city after the riots. There is unconcealed anger against AAP, with people across religious divide calling incumbent MLA Haji Younus a “deserter.” People spent their savings to repaint and restore the burnt buildings and damaged places of worship in Mustafabad, adjoining Brijpuri and Shiv Vihar, but no help came from the government, said Haji Yasin, 55, owner of an automobile agency. “Students of Jamia Milia University, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Sikh NGOs helped rebuild lives here. Why would anyone vote for AAP?” he said. The Mustafabad municipal ward is reserved for women and witnessing a five-cornered contest, with CPI(M) and AIMIM also fielding their candidates. There are 53,000 voters in the Muslim-majority ward. The Congress’ Sabila Begam is considered a strong candidate as she has the support of the Saifi community which has around 13,000 votes. The BJP has fielded Shabnam Malik who is banking on the 10,000 votes of the Malik community. Malik’s brother-inlaw Mainu Malik said the “internal fight” in Congress (incumbent councillor Praveen Maroof not given ticket), the anger against AAP, and the AIMIM cutting votes will help BJP win. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is contesting from 16 seats, including Mustafabad. The Owaisi-led party had contested the civic polls on nine wards in 2017 but drew a blank.