
In an electoral landscape marked by thin victory margins and multi-cornered fights, political parties recognise the decisive role slum dwellers can play in determining the next chief minister.
Approximately 80% of Delhi’s 15 lakh slum residents had thrown their support behind Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the previous elections. However, this time, frustration and disillusionment run high among these voters as they grapple with unfulfilled promises and the constant threat of eviction.
Over the past five years, more than 30,000 demolitions have taken place in the capital, leaving thousands homeless and uncertain about their future. AAP has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of orchestrating at least 12 of these demolitions, exacerbating the distress of the urban poor.
Residents have voiced their grievances, highlighting the lack of basic amenities. “Where are the roads? How will people use toilets without water? No flats have been allotted,” one slum dweller lamented. Another resident pointed out, “Our slums have been broken many times, sanitation staff is not paid for toilets, mohalla clinics exist in name only, and medicines are scarce.”
Rehabilitation of slum dwellers has been a recurring election promise. However, the reality is far more complex, given the bureaucratic hurdles posed by 46 different land-owning agencies and court orders mandating the clearance of encroachments.
During his door-to-door campaigns, Kejriwal has championed his government’s flagship schemes, including free electricity, water, healthcare, and transportation. He has also warned that a BJP-led government would continue the trend of demolishing slum homes. “After over 10 years in power, BJP has built just 4,700 houses for slum dwellers. They want votes before elections and their land after elections,” Kejriwal claimed.
The BJP, on the other hand, has sought to counter AAP’s narrative. Party spokesperson Aman Sehrawat stated, “Kejriwal didn’t provide houses to slum dwellers for 10 years, but now claims he will do so.” To woo this voter base, the BJP has undertaken an extensive outreach programme, including the recent inauguration of Swabhiman Apartments, a slum rehabilitation project in West Delhi. Party leaders have even stayed overnight in slum clusters to showcase their commitment to the community.
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Slum dwellers, who make up around 10% of Delhi’s electorate, are caught in a tug-of-war between AAP, BJP, and Congress. While political parties aggressively court their votes with promises of better living conditions, many slum residents remain sceptical. For some, voting is a transactional exercise, seen as a last-ditch effort to prevent their homes from being bulldozed. Others view it as a futile endeavour, given the repeated failures of successive governments to deliver on their commitments.
With the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections on the horizon, the battle for the slum vote is intensifying. The question remains: Will slum dwellers once again rally behind AAP, or will BJP’s outreach efforts sway them? More importantly, will any party genuinely prioritise their needs beyond the election cycle? As political pledges continue to pile up, the reality of slum rehabilitation and infrastructure development remains a daunting and costly challenge for any government in the national capital.
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