Chandni Chowk: India’s smallest constituency longs for big change

In the bustling Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, every street, every shop and every vendor has a story to tell, a complaint and a lot to share. From inflation to weak demand, e-commerce competition, VAT rationalization and even the likely muted political activity during the election heat, the issues here are as diverse as the electorate.

A stone’s throw from the famous Ghalib Ki Haveli in Ballimaran’s Gali Qasim Jaan, Mohan Das, a 58-year-old rickshaw puller, takes a break from the scorching heat, his eyes briefly leaving the mobile screen for a sip of water. “Is baar chunaav me koi yahan nahi aaya hai,” he complains.

A few meters away, two brothers who run a shoe shop echo his sentiments, claiming that there are few visitors. “Inflation has broken our backs,” one of them adds.

Established in 1956, Chandni Chowk is the smallest Lok Sabha constituency in the country in terms of area and holds special significance. It is a center of economic activity and its cultural and political significance, supported by a significant population from minority communities, is unparalleled in Delhi. In other words, it is a microcosm of India’s economic and political landscape.

The constituency consists of 10 Assembly segments: Adarsh ​​Nagar, Shalimar Bagh, Shakur Basti, Tri Nagar, Wazirpur, Model Town, Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal and Ballimaran – each with its unique set of challenges and aspirations.

For many in Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal and Ballimaran, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime has simplified things, but its rationalization remains a key issue. “It makes no sense to charge 18 percent VAT on food products but 3 percent on diamond jewelry,” argues Mahender Gupta, shop owner at Paranthe Wali Gali.

A palpable sense of uncertainty loomed in the heart of the Lok Sabha constituency over the popularity of the prominent candidates. Backed by the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress has fielded Jai Prakash Agarwal, who previously represented this constituency in 1984, 1989 and 1996. He is pitted against the BJP’s Praveen Khandelwal, who is associated with the Confederation of All India Traders. CAIT).

Still, public sentiment in the region’s busy markets was leaning toward a government that could take “decisive” action. Rakesh Gupta, owner of the 160-year-old Balaji Chaat Bhandar, located opposite the revered Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, offers a compelling analogy. “Ek ghar me chaarmaalik ho jaate hain to ghar barbaad ho jaata hai, gij to desh hai,” he says, summing up the desire for strong leadership.

This sentiment echoes through the narrow streets of Dariba Kalan, where flags with the inscription “Jai Shree Ram” fly outside almost every shopfront. This scene is replicated in Kinari Bazar, Krishna Market and Khari Baoli.

Highlighting the sense of security provided by the current central leadership, a bookstore owner in Nai Sadak underlined: “There is security for us as long as he (Narendra Modi) is Prime Minister.”

At the same time, the busy streets of Chandni Chowk also whisper tales of change: the once chaotic main market has undergone a makeover, its face changed by a redevelopment project that has breathed new life into its old veins.

In September 2021, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled this transformation. A 1.3 km stretch, stretching from the Red Fort to the Fatehpuri Masjid, now gleams with red sandstone and granite. The area is decorated with benches and plants and security has been improved through the installation of CCTV. Moreover, it is a ‘traffic-free zone’ from 9am to 9pm.

This change was welcomed by the market’s customers. Saroj, a shopper preparing for her daughter’s wedding, is relieved at the reduced chaos: “Now there is not much hassle on this road. We used to worry about accidents involving bicycles and autorickshaws. But now it has become easier to come here.” Adding to her comments, Pramod Kumar said the redevelopment has allayed his “fear” about the crowds.

Rickshaw pullers have also noticed that their lives have become easier due to the changes. Mohammad Alam, who has been ferrying customers in this busy place for the past 23 years, says, “Abhi kisi se ladai nahi hoti hai (Now we don’t have to fight with anyone).”

Promising further development of this constituency, the BJP’s Praveen Khandelwal has promised that he will “comprehensively develop” the region if elected. His ambitious plans include a 200-bed multi-specialty hospital, a recreation center for senior citizens in every segment of the assembly, an incubation center for startups and the betterment of people living in the slums. “In light of the Prime Minister’s vision, my primary focus is on making life easier for the people here,” he told Business Standard. Khandelwal, a local secretary of the CAIT, was given the ticket after the sitting MP, Dr Harsh Vardhan, decided not to contest this year’s elections.

His opponent, Jai Prakash Agarwal, criticized the BJP for the lack of parliamentary questions on Chandni Chowk and called it a “failure”. He promises to focus equally on all ten Assembly seats, stating: “I have a list of twenty issues for ten seats and to me they are all equal.” “They (BJP) have not addressed any major problem of the locality in the last 10 years,” he added.

This year, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are contesting the Delhi elections as a united front, with Agarwal affirming “full cooperation” between the two parties.

In the residential constituencies of the Lok Sabha seat such as Model Town, Adarsh ​​Nagar and Shalimar Bagh, inflation remains a concern but a significant number of residents also long for a Prime Minister who can withstand the ‘foreign pressure’. Umesh Bhardwaj, a resident of Model Town, said, “It is necessary to have someone at the top who can take strict decisions without hesitation. Modiji did that.”

As elections to all seven seats in Delhi approach on May 25, will the BJP retain its seats, or will the winds of change usher in a sea change? Time will tell.