Many want a government that can protect the nation
NEW DELHI: The bloody terror strike in the nation's financial and entertainment capital was the single most important thing on the minds of Delhiites who came out to vote in large numbers in Saturday's assembly elections. The authorities put the turnout at over 60%, much higher than last time.
Many voters said terrorism was not a big issue till the Mumbai strike, but the days after Wednesday night made them rethink. They now want to elect a party that can combat terror effectively.
“Terrorism is the reason I came out to vote today. It is a national problem not related to any particular community. I now want to choose a government that will work to secure my city and country. I don't want to see Mumbai-like scenes on the streets of Delhi,” Ahmed Saood, a consultant with a multi-national company who lives in a posh multi-storey east Delhi apartment, said.
The audacity of the Mumbai strike and the gun battle that ensued and continued till Saturday morning brought back memories of the serial blasts in Delhi's posh areas.
Mohammed Gulzar, a first-time voter who lives in Timarpur, a semi-urban village in south Delhi, said, “I know there are people around us who will start blaming a single community for the attack, but we should realise the time has come to act collectively without getting swayed by political rhetoric.”
Delhi has always been high on the terror list and recent attacks have disturbed its people. They now want the government to take strong steps against those involved.
“Terrorism is a big issue, but we must not relate it to religion. Politicians come and go every five years, this fight against terrorism can only be won together, not weakening ourselves by finger-pointing,” Dharmesh Saxena, a government servant living in the middle-class north Moti Bagh in south Delhi, said.
v_gyan@dnaindia.net
