NEW DELHI — Syed Ahmed Bukhari, imam of Jama Masjid, may have announced his support for the Congress, but the party candidate from Chandni Chowk Kapil Sibal said he did not divide his electorate on “religious lines.” When asked on Congress president Sonia Gandhi's reported meeting with Bukhari, which was followed by his announcement of support, Sibal said, “I don't know if she met him, but I don't see my electorate in that manner. I work equally for all communities and seek votes from them on that basis. People from all communities are supporting me in the constituency.” Asked why this election was different for the Congress Sibal said, “There are several complex issues this time. More than anti-incumbency, the issue is the constant negative campaigning by the BJP, which is trying to force people into believing what they say about us. Whatever Modi says is on the media 24×7 and nobody talks about the work we have done. It's a very one-sided coverage… look at Delhi, we changed the face of Delhi, yet Shielaji lost. Besides that, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was not there in the last elections.” Asked if the Congress had failed to communicate their work Sibal said, “If the media is enchanted about someone what can we do? Also communication is very difficult when you are in government, whichever party is in power. There are constant allegations, and we are always on the defensive. So this communication problem is intrinsic to running a government.” Signal, who has been campaigning in different areas of his constituency over the last three weeks, said sections of voters, which the Congress lost to the AAP, were “disenchanted” with the AAP now. “Certain sections in my constituency did vote for the AAP in the assembly elections, but that was because Arvind Kejriwal sold them a dream which he failed to realize. I won't say all, but a large number of these people are disenchanted with the AAP and are returning to us,” Sibal said.
