Security and inflation were the major factors for women voters in exercising their franchise in the Delhi assembly elections today.
In major constituencies such as the high-profile New Delhi where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is squaring off against incumbent Sheila Dikshit, whose Congress party is seeking a fourth successive term, first-timer Sanjana (22) said she wants greater security for women and no more rapes in the capital.
"I want rape cases to end. I am feeling good to have voted for the first-time," she said smiling, as she came out of the polling booth.
Another first-timer Neha Thapa (19), a college student from the same area, said she was a little nervous but hoped the "next regime will bring change in their favour".
In south Delhi's Tughlaqabad where BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri is the sitting MLA, women residents of the old Indira Camp slums complained about "all parties ignoring the poor".
"Everyone promises but nobody delivers. After 10 PM no woman can step out, and there is no security for them at all," Deepti Das, a working woman alleged as she queued up to vote at a booth, which saw a big turnout of women.
Paulsons family from Greater Kailash's posh GK-1 locality, who are the oldest residents in their block, acknowledging the anti-incumbency factor said, "a new party should be given a chance".
For oldest family member Har Bans Paulson (86), who came to vote in a wheel chair, alleged, "the RWAs today are all busy filling their pockets. But, things were better earlier when we were young".
"Though we are a party loyalists, we hope change will come with a new regime," Annie Manchanda, another member of the family and a corporate employee, said, as she flashed her inked finger.
Crucial R K Puram constituency where Aam Aaadmi Party's Shazia Ilmi is contesting against the sitting Congress MLA Barkha Singh, voters complained of "paani, bijli and mahngai".
"Paani (water), bijli (power) and mahngai (inflation) are the major issues for us here, apart from poor sanitation and waterlogging," 40-year-old Omana Nair from Hanuman Camp area in Sector-4 area alleged.
