Cong woos slum dwellers with right to housing

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 28

After having lost its socio-economic class vote bank to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) last election, the Congress today scored a political point over its adversary by promising to slum dwellers in and around Delhi the right to housing.

The Congress is now the only party in Delhi to have pledged a law on the issue which has long resonated with marginalised sections.

“If voted to power, we will pass in a year the NCT of Delhi Right to Housing, Shelter and Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Bill 2015,” said Ajay Maken, chairman, Congress’ campaign committee for Delhi. The move — in one stroke — covers a substantial 27 per cent of the voting population of Delhi, which in the last elections swung in favour of AAP.

Besides, Congress’ right to housing Bill for slum dwellers targets two vote banks in one stroke – Dalits and Muslims. These two segments form the majority of the slum population in the National Capital Territory Region.

The fact that the Congress has prepared the draft of the law to secure housing rights of slum inhabitants reflects a sense of urgency in the organisation to woo back an important electoral base.

The party has also decided to hold sectional meetings with groups of voters that wield influence in specific areas.

For instance, Congress strategists have proposed a rally by their vice-president Rahul Gandhi in the Muslim minority dominated Chandni Chowk area. The Muslims had deserted the Congress for Kejriwal last time. Rahul’s rally – planned as people contact – at Chandni Chowk is expected to be held soon after he addresses a public meeting at Seelampur tomorrow.