TRADERS, AUTO UNION LOOK TOWARDS BJP IN DELHI POLLS

Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh and others back BJP, citing trust in PM Modi and in promises made by Delhi BJP president Sachdeva.

- TIKAM SHARMA

W ell-known to be the supporters penalties were later revised, auto drivers were not consulted during the process that during Sheila Dikshit's tenure as Chief Minister, the Congress government imposed hefty fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs of the the ruling 40,000. Although these Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in a notable shift ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, several unions around the national capital have decided to back the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) this time. According to auto drivers and traders they had consistently aligned with AAP in previous elections and this time want to see change.

The Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh (DARS) is one such union that has now pledged its support to the BJP. Rajendra Soni, General Secretary of the DARS, told The Sunday Guardian that they are extending their support to the BJP because of their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the promises made by Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva to improve their livelihoods. As a result, 70,000 auto-rickshaw drivers have decided to back the BJP in the upcoming elections.

Soni further criticised AAP stating, "We have been deceived by AAP over the years. They have done nothing to improve our lives." Reflecting on past governments, he mentioned He added that the situation worsened during AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's government over the last 11 years. "In all these years, Kejriwal has done absolutely nothing for auto drivers.

He claims his government will provide Rs 5 lakh for road accident victims and promised medical coverage, but I question how he will implement this when he is currently out on bail.