AIMF fields three 'down to earth' candidates

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Among a galaxy of colourful candidates in the fray for the coming Assembly elections in Delhi, the All India Minorities Front has fielded three very 'down to earth' contestants under its banner.

All the three, from very humble background, have ventured into the world of politics only on the basis of their conviction that the ''voiceless must have a voice too'' and that somewhere a beginning had to be made, despite being a non-entities in politics.

Among them the one who is drawing huge crowds is Vijay Kumar, a 'rickshawala' of Paharganj.

Claiming full backing of his 'Balmiki samaj', Vijay contesting from Karol Bagh constituency, said it may sound surprising to hear about a Hindu standing under the AIMF flag, but the swell of support received by him has overwhelmed him.

''I am 'garib' and all the 'garib' of the area are supporting me and hence I am confident of winning,'' he added.

Explaining that money was indeed a big factor, he said, ''people ask me what will you give, if we vote and I say, just work for you honestly, nothing more.'' Another candidate propped up by the AIMF is 'dhobi' Mohammad Tahir contesting from 'New Delhi' facing the formidable Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Tahir maintains that the entire 'dhobi' community was solidly behind him, constituting nearly 3,000 votes, besides government servants of his area in North Avenue have promised him ''all their support''.

Claiming that he was contesting mostly with the help of donations collected from his 'brethren' without any outside help, Tahir said his 'small stature' was actually his USP along with the support given by his party - the AIMF.

Next in the line is 'beautician' Rukhsana, who is pitched against political stalwarts like Shoaib Iqbal in the Matia Mahal constituency.

In the profession for the past eight years, Rukhsana is mobbed by women when she goes for canvassing with all vouching their support because she was ''their very own'' and ''one among them''.

While claiming that she had offers to withdraw from three people contesting from her constituency, Rukhsana said she was more than confident of making it to the Delhi Assembly, as she had overwhelming support of the people of her area, mostly women.

''I do door-to-door campaigning and have received massive response. If this is translated into votes I am sure to win,'' she said.

Exhorting her supporters to 'vote for the camera' the AIMF election symbol, Rukhsana also seeks their blessings too, to see her through this ''crucial phase of my life''.

On her campaign, expenses, she said, ''I am using only my money and there is no help from any quarters, even my party''.

The AIMF, in all has fielded six candidates.

Of the remaining three, Munshi Raza-ul Islam (Okhla) is into social work '', Nasreen (Chandni Chowk), is an activist with an NGO, and Noorjahan Dehalvi (Ballimaran) is from Delhi's renowned Dehalvi family.

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