‘I am seeking votes on the basis of development works in the area and service I have done for the people,’ said Rajesh Gehlot, BJP candidate from Matiala assembly segment. Gehlot, is going door-to-door meeting people in his constituency.
Though the prominent Jat leader from Najafgarh is fighting the assembly election for the first time, he has been elected as a councillor from Matiala ward three times. As a councilor, he benefited the most from the trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as he became chairman of the standing committee for two consecutive times. ‘He has done more development work than the MLA of the area by building stadiums, botanical garden, Ayurvedic garden and many community centres,’ said Ram Kumar a resident of Dwarka sector 14. The Matiala assembly segment is dominated by
Jats and has a mix of rural and urban population.
‘The day I was elected chairman of South DMC standing committee, I focused on the development of the area which was neglected in the past,’ said Gehlot.
His closest rival and sitting Congress MLA Sumesh Shokeen is facing anti-incumbency in the area. Shokeen who had defeated BJP’s Kamal Jeet by 6,629 in 2008 also lags in reputation and image in Jat community in comparison to Gehlot. Furthermore, Gehlot also managed another independent candidate Satendra Rana to get his nominations back to ensure direct fight with Shokeen. Rana a sitting councillor from Nagli Sakrawati was being seen as a spoiler for Gehlot but now he is a supporter.