New Delhi, May 16
Winning of all the seven Lok Sabha and one assembly seats in Delhi was possible due to the charisma of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as the electorate of the Capital voted for development work done by the city government.

Party workers, a few senior leaders and even DPCC president Jai Prakash Agarwal said that the people voted for the Congress candidates due to the development work of the Sheila Dikshit-led government in the city. This is a historical victory of the party in Delhi as in the last election, it had six seats.

Sheila Dikshit worked hard to make the party candidates emerge victorious. She attended all the rallies addressed by Sonia Gandhi, PM Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. She had sprained her ankle during Manmohan Singh’s rally at Hari Nagar in West Delhi, but with the help of party workers she went on to the stage to address the voters.

Sheila said that the people have voted for the Congress as it has changed the face of the Capital by the development done during the last 10 years.

When told by the newsmen that the Sheila factor was the major cause of party victory, she thanked the voters.

She said that by winning the seven Lok Sabh seats and one assembly seat of Rohtas Nagar, “I have secured 101 per cent marks which I never got even in class”.

New Delhi, May 16
The whole camp of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president, Jai Prakash Agarwal was in raptures quite early during the day itself, giving the impression that it had sensed the nerves of the electorate even before the results. The whole brigade, consisting of about 60-odd supporters came on shifts to charge the atmosphere outside the Industrial Training Institute at Nandnagri in the North-East Delhi (NED) parliamentary segment.

Slogans “Jai Ho” and “Jai Prakash Agarwal ki jai” raised by Agarwal’s supporters reverberated across Nandnagri, where the fate of both Congress and BJP veterans, Agarwal and B L Sharma was being decided. These slogans gradually rolled down the carpets for the DPCC president, who by evening emerged with a thumping victory by a defining lead of over 2.22 lakh votes.

Ebullient Congressmen attributed the win to the charisma of Agarwal, but Agarwal with seasoned humility passed the credit to the Congress’s theme of “development”, the party high command Sonia Gandhi and “refreshingly honest leadership” of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Agarwal believes that the voters of NED constituency have rejected the communal leadership and given its reins to the party which they trust. “The result clearly shows that the people of my constituency want development. They know that Congress understands the needs of the masses. The mandate brings out that the people have rejected all communal elements,” outlined the DPCC president.

Surrounded by ecstatic supporters, who danced to the music of drums, Agrawal, the new MP of NED constituency, said that no effort would be spared to better the living conditions of all.

Meanwhile, the by-poll results from the Rohtas Nagar assembly constituency, which had fallen vacant after the sudden demise of DPCC chairman Ram Babu Sharma, also went to the kitty of Congress.

The Congress candidate Vipin Sharma defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s Divya Jaiswal by a margin of 23,547 votes.

New Delhi, May 16
South Delhi BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri accepted his defeat in the fourth round of counting of votes, saying that the mandate was against the BJP.

A total number of 17 rounds of counting took place in South Delhi centre at Jija Bai Polytechnic College near Sri Fort Auditorium.

Talking to the media inside the counting centre, he explained three reasons for his defeat —fighting inside the party, Sixth Pay Commission recommendations and vote of minorities.

Ramesh Bidhuri said, “I raised all relevant issues, like water shortage, power, medical facilities and need of good education issues but people voted for Congress. I have to accept this,” he said.

He said that local BJP leaders in Palam, Chattarpur and Kalkaji worked against him.

They wanted the candidate of their choice.

“I informed the party but nobody paid heed to my complaint,” he said.

Congress candidate who has won the South Delhi seat with a margin of 93, 219 votes avoided giving any statement. When the media gheraoed him for his comments, he said, “Let the Bhaiji come.”

New Delhi, May 16
On the day of the results of the general elections today, headquarters of political parties in Delhi saw extreme atmospheres.

While some party offices like that of the Congress at 24 Akbar Road witnessed all colours and celebrations, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) office at 11 Ashoka Road had empty tents and chairs.

Congress supporters had started pouring in at the party office with flowers and dhols (drums) since morning. Dances and celebrations began soon after the results started coming out. Party jingle ‘Jai Ho’ was on the lips of every Congress supporter.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s residence was no exception. Decorated with flowers on the outside, it was all celebrations with party supporters bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

On the other hand, the saffron party supporters, who initially gathered at the party headquarters in morning, started disappearing with the coming out of the results. By afternoon, there were only a few party leaders left inside the office.

Even the media section constructed outside the office with arrangements of tea and snacks had no takers.

However, the CPM headquarters at AK Gopalan Bhawan saw lots of action throughout the day.

Though a large number of media personnel had ganged up outside the office since morning, the overall atmosphere was sad.

Top leaders of the party kept coming in and out of the office accepting their unprecedented defeat.

To make things worse, Congress candidate Ajay Maken’s supporters celebrated with dhols outside the CPM office.

New Delhi, May 16
Krishna Tirath won with a wide margin of over 1,84,433 votes against her nearest rival BJP’s Meera Kanwariya from North West Delhi.

Tirath got 4,87,404 votes while Kanwariya got 3,02,971 votes. As the news of Tirath’s win broke, party workers burst crackers and began celebrating.

Tirath said, “People are satisfied with the Congress working .” She added, “This is my seventh win and I have won every election. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the UPA have done a very good job in both Delhi and the centre and this is reflected in the mandate that people have given. A particular trend in this election has been the youth power. The youth have chosen Congress.”

Tirath gave all credit for her win to the hard work put in by Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Congress workers were ecstatic and many burst crackers. Drums boomed and sweets were distributed.

A party worker said, “We are thrilled. People have shown confidence in the Congress. We did expect Tirathji to win. She has never lost to date.”

A woman party worker said, “Of course, we are happy with the result. People from all across the nation have supported the Congress. I think this has been one of our best elections. I will offer prayers at the temple.”

The mood in the BJP camp was gloomy. Kanwariya tried to put up a brave face, “I hope to do better next time, for now we will sit in opposition. I will continue to work for people. Even though we have lost, there is a lot of work to be done and a lot to look forward to.”

New Delhi, May 16
After losing the elections, BJP’s candidate from West Delhi, Jagdish Mukhi today accepted that the traditional Punjabi vote bank has shifted away from him.

“There were many complications inside the party. I came to know that the Punjabi votes were slowly drifting towards the Congress , but none of the party leaders cared for it. We actually lost over three points—youth, Punjabi and Muslim votes,” said Mukhi as he analyses the surprise win of Mishra on the counting day.

Before the results were out, Mukhi was looking excited though somewhat nervous. He said, “I want to work for the people of my area and I believe that the voters will choose their government and candidates wisely.”

Mishra also shared a similar feeling and said, “Counting day is tougher and more hectic. I am desperately waiting for the results. I am sure to win.”

The West Delhi seat was considered the strongest for the BJP. Besides being a Punjabi candidate, Mukhi was an experienced leader too. Earlier, even the sources from the Congress had said that “Mukhi holds a strong position as he is being favoured by the Punjabi electorate in the area and stands a chance to win the seat”.

But it was a bolt from the blue for the BJP after the sweeping win by the Congress. On the condition of anonymity, a party worker of the BJP said that Mukhi was taken aback, for he did not expect such a fall.

He added, “When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed a rally in West Delhi to woo the Punjabi voters in support of Mahabal Mishra, Mukhi also requested the high command of the party to call Prakash Singh Badal in the area, but nobody cooperated.”

The dent made by Manmohan Singh in the Punjabi votes is clear from the results in the Punjabi-dominated areas of Tilak Nagar and Hari Nagar where Mishra received 7,700 votes, 1,531 more than Mukhi.

BJP also lacked in collecting youth voters. A party worker of the BJP said, “When I asked my sons, whom did they vote for, their answer came as a shock. It was Congress. Then I realized when the youth voters in my own house are not ready to accept the party, what can be expected of the other electorate.”

New Delhi, May 16
Former cricketer and BJP candidate from East Delhi parliamentary constituency Chetan Chauhan was sporty enough to accept defeat and congratulate Sandeep Dikshit, who won the seat, even before counting reached midway.

Speaking to The Tribune after eight rounds of counting, Chetan who was trailing by 1.10 lakh votes said he had already accepted defeat and had congratulated Sandeep Dikshit.

“The margin is widening with every round of counting and I do not think I will be able to fill the gap. I have already congratulated Sandeep,” said Chetan Chauhan who lost to Sandeep Dikshit by 2.41 lakh votes.

However, Chauhan added the picture in the constituency would have been different if BSP candidate Haji Yunus who polled 45,447 votes made it a triangular contest.

“BSP candidate from North East Delhi Haji Dilshad gave a wrong message to Dalit and Muslim vote bank of the party. They realised the non-seriousness of BSP candidates and, therefore, chose the Congress. Besides, I was contesting against Shiela Dikshit and I lost to her,” said Chauhan, referring to Sandeep Dikshit’s Chief Minister mother.

While, Sandeep Dikshit has attributed his win to the Congress’ pro-people policies throughout the country and Delhi.

With the television set at media centre showing huge ‘Advantage Congress’ across the country, Sandeep could not help shifting his attention to it. He reacted as trends showed lead and trailing of candidates. “He is a good man,” said Sandeep when the winning of P.K. Bansal from Chandigarh flashed on the TV screen. He questioned in disbelief, “Chidambaram ji is trailing?”

As the day progressed and the UPA lead was confirmed, Sandeep was asked whether he was ready to accept ministerial responsibility.

“There are many senior party leaders in Delhi than me. In fact two of them are ministers already. I am no where in the race,” signed off Sandeep.

New Delhi, May 16
Two railway protection force (RPF) constables posted at Tricharapalli railway station and camped at Nizammuddin railway station were stabbed to death in the GB Road area of Central Delhi last night.

According to information, the victims — Punraj and G.C. Solanki — had gone to the red light district of GB Road around 10 pm last night where they got into an altercation with some pimps who stabbed them several times.

The two were rushed to the hospital where they were declared brought dead.

According to police officials, the duo along with their company was returning from Punjab after election duty and was to catch a train to Tamil Nadu today morning.

The reason that caused altercation between the pimps and the constables is yet not known.

As per information, the constables initially bashed up the two pimps, who were later joined by some other men.

"The incident took place at kotha number 64. The attackers managed to flee the spot. We have identified two persons and are looking for them," said the police.

The senior officials of the RPF have been informed about the incident.

Noida, May 16
Jhuggi clusters are fast coming up on Delhi irrigation department’s land in Noida, which is estimated to be worth thousands of crores.

The slum dwellers have encroached on this land situated on both sides of Noida drain, which lies in Sector 14-A and Sector 16-A Noida. The drain water ultimately falls in the Yamuna.

The jhuggi dwellers have set up over 8,000 jhuggies and some have even constructed pucca houses. Since it is a Delhi government land, Noida Authority and district administration of G.B. Nagar have not tried to remove the encroachers. Since it is a matter between two states, this sprawling land has also become a breeding ground for crime.

Interestingly, Noida Authority is keen to build a road on both the banks of the drain, of course with the Delhi government’s consent.

But jhuggi dwellers are equally keen to stall the road and have therefore got in touch with some local leaders for the purpose.

A large number of jhuggi residents have got their ration cards and voters identity cards issued as Noida residents.

To avoid legal complications, the jhuggi dwellers have given their residential address in Sector 16 and 17 instead of jhuggi clusters on either side of the drain.

Some of the leaders of slum dwellers have encroached on about 50 jhuggies each and given them on rent.

They are getting illegal power supply by hooking from the power lines from Noida depot in Sector 16 and some points in 17 also.

Some of the more enterprising people are reported to have got electric metres installed in their jhuggies with the connivance of UP power corporation employees.

Noida Authority has also reportedly extended the facility of potable water through specially laid pipes in the encroached area.

Noida, May 16
Sleuths of the special investigation bureau (SIB) of the trade tax department have conducted raids on two top builders of the city for having evaded taxes amounting to Rs 50 crore. It has been learnt that the action was taken on the basis of an informer’s report.

The raiding team has seized evidences of tax evasion in the form of incriminating documents from the premises of the two builders.

Major Yadvindra Singh, deputy commissioner, trade tax department said the raids were conducted under the direction of the SIB’s joint-commissioner, Ram Kishen Shastri.

Major informed that the raids were conducted on May 14 on the offices of the builders in Sector 119.

The two builders have allegedly constructed 720 and 750 flats, respectively, which they have begun selling. Over 250 flats have already been sold. Cement, iron rods and other construction materials have been extensively used in the construction, but the builders have not paid any tax on the purchase of these building materials.