Inferring Change: Note on Delhi Cantt, Rajendra Nagar, and Mayur Vihar amidst DAE 2025 

Moderator: Team CDBA, SHDRF
Enumerator: Shehla Nigar

Delhi Cantt

Khirby, a slum in Delhi Cantt, has witnessed elections come and go, yet for many of its residents, change remains elusive. As I walked through its narrow lanes, I saw a mix of hope, skepticism, and apathy. While elections stir excitement for some, others have grown disillusioned with the process.

 
Broken Promises?
Residents recall changes that followed past elections—some positive, some disappointing. Ms. Anonymous 1, an elderly Muslim woman, reminisced about road construction under the Kejriwal government but lamented how they deteriorated due to political conflicts. “It’s like they don’t want us to have good roads,” she sighed.
A local shopkeeper, once an AAP supporter, had switched allegiance to BJP, believing their focus on real development was more effective. Still, he acknowledged AAP’s contributions to free education. Meanwhile, a housewife confessed to voting randomly, admitting she lacked political awareness. Her words reflect a larger issue of political disengagement in low-income communities.

Government Schemes
While free water, electricity discounts, and women’s safety measures benefited many, implementation flaws remained. Ms. Anonymous 2, a servant quarter resident, praised AAP’s free services but admitted she never applied for certain schemes due to lack of awareness.
Several housewives dismissed free bus rides for women, arguing they rarely traveled. Others complained about inconsistent food rations, with some days yielding less than promised. However, even with these challenges, the poorest voters saw tangible benefits, making them loyal to welfare-driven politics.

Trust Shift: Leaders or Issues?
Voters in Khirby are increasingly choosing leaders based on performance rather than party loyalty. Ms. Anonymous 3, a shopkeeper, expressed frustration over a damaged road outside his shop, blaming political fights. “If they really cared, this would have been fixed,” he remarked. Conversely, Ms. Anonymous 4, a daily wage worker, was unwavering in his support for AAP, citing solar energy initiatives and improved water supply. While he never attended school, he stressed the importance of education for the next generation.

First-Time Voter
Young voters were eager yet uncertain about their choices. An 18-year-old first-time voter admitted he had no idea whom to support. Anonymous 5, age 24, who dropped out of college due to financial difficulties, wished for better education policies. She also highlighted unsafe roads, citing “14-15 accidents due to fast-moving trucks at night.”. She stressed on the need for streetlights and better infrastructure, proving that beyond freebies, real development remains a priority for many voters.

Religion: 
While some claimed voting was divided along religious lines, reality was more complex. Some Muslim residents received proactive support from BJP leaders, altering their political preferences. Others remained disillusioned, recalling Sheila Dikshit’s unfulfilled promise of housing.

Infrastructure
It was also observed that voters increasingly talked about better schools, hospitals, safer roads, and employment opportunities over short-term benefits. A local summed it up best: “Free things help, but a stable job is better.”
There’s also a growing awareness of political accountability. A middle-aged woman noted, “If we don’t ask politicians what they are doing for us, they will never care.”

Rajendra Nagar
Rajendra Nagar is a place of ambition and paradoxes—while some prepare for IAS exams, others feel disconnected from politics. An IAS Aspirant Who Never Voted, Anonymous 6 , a 22-year-old IAS aspirant from Varanasi, never voted but strongly supported BJP for improving national security. However, he was critical of caste-based politics and the commercialization of IAS coaching.
A 26-year-old woman with a Voter ID had never voted, feeling elections made no difference. “All parties distribute money, but does anything really change?” she asked.
Anonymous 7, a peon in a private company, was unmoved by free services and remained a BJP loyalist. “Why do people vote for free water and electricity? Why not for better jobs?” he questioned. An elderly cleaner admitted he voted out of family tradition, with no awareness of party policies. However, he strongly opposed free bus rides for women, arguing they created gender inequality.

First-Time Voter 
An 18-year-old Delhi University student questioned AAP’s free bus rides for women: “How can we talk about gender equality and then have policies that treat men and women differently?” Her concern highlights the contradictions within welfare politics.

Mayur Vihar
In Shashi Garden, Jawahar Mohalla, and Mahatma Gandhi Camp, election season brings temporary improvements. Many vote solely based on immediate benefits like free electricity and cash assistance, often uninformed about long-term policies.

The Freebie and Mohalla Clinic
Residents criticized poor sanitation despite welfare benefits. A local lamented, “The streets are dirty, but if we vote for one party, the other ignores us.”
Though initially praised, many Mohalla Clinics lacked medicines and staff, leading to frustration. Shockingly, many educated residents showed little interest in voting. When asked, one responded indifferently: “If I get time, I’ll vote.”

Key Findings: 
Voters from lower income and education level often prioritize short-term benefits, such as government-sponsored freebies, over long-term sustainable development. While these immediate incentives provide temporary relief, they can overshadow crucial issues like infrastructure, employment, and economic stability. Additionally, family influence plays a significant role in voting behavior, particularly among women, who frequently vote based on household decisions rather than independent political research. This trend limits the scope for informed and autonomous electoral choices.
Another concerning pattern is the emphasis on party symbols over individual candidate credibility. Many voters exhibit logo loyalty, where they recognize and vote for a party based on its symbol rather than evaluating the leadership, policies, or qualifications of the candidates. This practice weakens political accountability, as it prioritizes party affiliation over effective governance.
Furthermore, a noticeable yet predictable phenomenon occurs during election seasons—sudden improvements in basic services and infrastructure. Roads are repaired, water supply is enhanced, and electricity becomes more consistent, only for these enhancements to disappear post-election. This temporary appeasement tactic raises concerns about the sincerity of political commitments.
Ironically, amid these electoral behaviors, many educated voters—who possess the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions—remain indifferent. Their political apathy further diminishes accountability in governance, as their disengagement allows ineffective policies and leadership to persist without scrutiny. This reluctance to participate in elections not only weakens democracy but also perpetuates a cycle where superficial promises outweigh genuine developmental policies.
Overall the researchers observation tells that despite having attraction for short term freebies, people do want change in this election.