Once known as a BJP bastion, Dariyapur was won by Gyasuddin Shaikh for the Congress in 2012. The area was ruled by the BJP through Bharat Barot for 25 years. After delimitation in 2012, the area now has more than 50,000 Muslim voters, who play a decisive role in the victory margin. Shaikh won in 2012 with the support of Muslim voters, but has failed keep up with his responsibilities. Voters are unhappy and most of them are ready to show him the door if Congress repeat their candidate. Nothing, they say, has been done for development or infrastructure. The local MLA has not turned up in the constituency in the last five years. Now, Shaikh is meeting people but locals have not been giving him very positive vibes. Congress may stick with Gyasuddin Shaikh as he remained loyal to the party even when there were allegations of horse trading during the Rajya Sabha elections.At present, the voters have revolted against him and so have the other party workers. Polluted water because of old drainage lines is a major issue in this area. The locals have complained about this many times but to no avail. According to Bharat Barot, the area has seen major development over the years. "With the support of funds from the BJP government, the area has seen growth in infrastructure. There is a BRTS, many gardens and schools here. Development has been done keeping all classes and communities in mind," Barot said. "The area has illegal constructions and slaughter houses. A major chunk of the population stays in slums and suffer from many health issues. The problem with polluted water, floating sewage water and traffic persists," added Barot. On the other hand, Congress leader and MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh claimed that the BJP is making false allegations on development as they want the constituency by hook or by crook. "BJP's B team – Jan Vikalp and AAP —are working hard to fight against me. AAP is looking for a Muslim candidate for this constituency. Some people were offered millions to contest from AAP. The allegations over development are baseless," he said. For 2017, election there 175 polling booths in this constituency. MAJOR AREAS Dariapur Shahpur DARIAPUR Population: Over 2.5 lakh Voters: 184089 Male: 95257 Female: 88830 Others: 2 CASTE-WISE BREAK-UP OF VOTERS Muslim: 68,000 SC: 35,000 Patel: 9,000 Vania: 7,000 others: 15,000 (all figures are approx) VOTER TURNOUT IN LAST ELECTION 2012- 68.47% WHO WON IN 2012 Gyasuddin Shaikh (60,967 ) INC KEY ISSUES ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION ILLEGAL SLAUGHTER HOUSES POLLUTED WATER DRAINAGE SLUM LIKELY CANDIDATES Bharat Barot – BJP Gyasuddin Shaikh– INC LEADERS SAY Gyasuddin Shaikh, MLA, INC BJP has strategically divided votes of the Congress to ensure a win. Interestingly, in September we came across cases of around 6,800 Muslim voters, whose names were deleted from the voting list. They want to defeat me at any cost. But people know that I have stood by them and have worked for them. Bharat Barot, BJP In last five years, illegal activities have been flourishing. He constituency is a den for illegal constructions, illegal slaughter houses and poverty. There are issues of polluted water and poor health. This area has major slum pockets, which too need some development. When BJP was in power, we gave them schools, gardens, roads, streetlights etc. But the Congress MLA has hardly taken any developmental measures. WHAT VOTERS HAVE TO SAY Praksh Soni, businessman Narrow and small slums are the biggest concern in this area. People need a revamp in terms of basic necessities. Pollution is yet another issue and here is hardly any greenery here. There are government schools but they don't provide quality education. Politicians at the local level are working, but MLAs are hardly seen here. Zil Shah, social media worker This area has a mixed population, with a majority of Muslims. We can say that this part of Ahmedabad is unique in terms of heritage monuments and modern infrastructure. It is very old compared to others and some drainage lines need to be changed as this leads to problems with water Raju Momin, former councillor Congress had a chance to develop the area. But Gyasuddin Shaikh listened only to some people. He has focused on a few Muslims only and has neglected overall change. We don't want to see him again as MLA. We have made requests at higher levels for the same. Rajesh Brahmbhatt, social worker I have been living here for a long time and I am aware of the issues. Sadly, our MLA has missed many things during his tenure. There are issues with drainage and there is no permanent solution for it. The MLA has never tried to find a concrete solution. Manoj Dabhi Hardly any development has happened. We don't need a complete face-lift but there needs to be a balance. Due to BRTS, the area is facing major traffic congestion. There was no need for an exclusive corridor for transportation. Also, there is no greenery, and so during summer, this area turns into an urban island.

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