Mustafabad, one of the worst affected areas in the February 2020 riots in North East Delhi, is singed by the memories of violence, and many residents think it will have a bearing on the civic polls. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi poll on December 4 is the first election in the city after the riots. There is unconcealed anger against the ruling AAP, with people across the religious divide calling the incumbent MLA Haji Yunus a “deserter.”

People spent their savings to repaint and restore the burnt and damaged buildings and places of worship in Mustafabad, adjoining Brijpuri and Shiv Vihar, but no help came from the government, said Haji Yasin, 55, owner of an automobile agency. The Mustafabad municipal ward is reserved for women and witnessing a five-cornered contest, with CPI(M) and AIMIM also fielding their candidates.