NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: A slew of development projects, multiple visits by Yogi Adityanath to Noida and Ghaziabad or the support of the traders’ community. A host of factors seemed to have worked for BJP in the two NCR districts.
Residents said most voters were persuaded by the “combined face” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Adityanath. “Be it businessmen, women or common citizens — everyone was witness to good law and order, which is why BJP got another chance,” said Sushil Kumar Jain, president of Sector 18 Market Association in Noida.
Rajiva Singh, president of the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners’ Association (NOFAA), iterated Jain on the issue of development and law and order. “UP is fast emerging as the topmost developing state in the country and Noida, a world-class city. The next decade would be the most crucial in deciding this and the momentum should not be lost at any cost. The next government should immediately focus on completing all unfinished infrastructural projects and build better healthcare and education systems. The problems faced by homebuyers should also be addressed.”
Another major factor that drove the mandate in favour of BJP was the multiple visits by Adityanath to Noida and Ghaziabad. “We are confident that various leaders of the state will now stop believing that Noida is a ‘jinxed city’ and start visiting more frequently to meet the people here,” said the NOFAA president.
In the run-up to the elections, the controversy surrounding 9th century leader Mihir Bhoj in Dadri and the year-long agitation by farmers at Delhi’s borders were thought to be the biggest challenges for BJP. Even if there was a sentiment against the ruling party, it failed to translate into votes.
Sahil Saxena, a resident of Raj Nagar Extension, said, “Although the farmers were sitting at the borders of Noida and Ghazipur, their cause had nothing to do with the people living in the two cities. Besides, the PM took back the farm laws much before the elections.”
The third factor that seemed to have worked in favour of the saffron party is the support of the traders in both urban and rural constituencies. Most opposition candidates failed to make any connection with the community.
At one point in time, the BJP candidates in Noida and Dadri seemed to face stiff opposition from peeved homebuyers, whose numbers are in lakhs, over the issue of delayed registries and incomplete projects. But that failed to make a dent in the vote share.
Ram Mohan Singh, a homebuyer from Noida Extension, said, “People have not voted for the BJP candidates, but for Yogi Adityanath. Now that BJP has won with higher voting percentages, people have more expectations from the party. We hope our issues will be resolved at the earliest.” Rohan Bhagat, who lives in Panchsheel Hynish in Greater Noida, seconded him. “Most of the residents voted for BJP because they have faith in the Yogi government.”
