Delhi Assembly Polls: How AAP-BJP Are Wooing Auto Drivers For Support

The political scene in New Delhi heats up as the assembly elections draw near, with both the Delhi BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) vying for the support of the city's auto drivers.

The Delhi BJP president, Virendra Sachdeva, joined the auto drivers for tea at Nizamuddin Railway Station's prepaid booth, proclaiming their alliance against the empty promises of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. This meeting came just a day after Kejriwal made several promises to the auto drivers, aiming to secure their votes.

Sachdeva criticized Kejriwal's track record, reminding the auto drivers of the unfulfilled promises from 2014, which included the establishment of auto stands, the inclusion of waiting time in fare meters, protection against the seizure of autos, and measures to combat corruption and exploitation within the Transport department.

This appeal to the auto drivers' frustrations highlighted Sachdeva's attempt to sway their traditional support away from the AAP.

On the other hand, Kejriwal's recent engagement with the auto drivers involved not just promises of financial assistance and insurance cover but also personal interactions, including visiting an auto driver's home and hosting them at his residence. These gestures underline the AAP's strategy to maintain its rapport with a group that has been its staunch supporter since the party's inception from the anti-corruption movement in 2012.

The BJP has made its own set of promises to the auto drivers, including free school education for children, life insurance, housing, and the establishment of auto stands. These assurances aim to provide a comprehensive support system for the auto drivers, possibly challenging the AAP's stronghold on this community.

The competition between the AAP and the BJP for the allegiance of New Delhi's auto drivers underscores the political importance of this community. Their traditional support for the AAP, stemming from the party's roots in the anti-corruption movement, is now being contested by the BJP's outreach efforts and promises of a better future. Both parties are leveraging both policy proposals and personal engagements in their campaigns to win over this crucial voter base ahead of the elections scheduled for February next year.

The battle lines in New Delhi's political landscape are clearly drawn as the assembly elections approach. With both major parties courting the auto drivers with a mix of promises and personal interactions, the outcome may well hinge on which party the auto drivers believe will best address their needs and aspirations.