Ambala lost its voice in past 5 years, I will raise it again

Back as Congress candidate from the Ambala Lok Sabha seat, sitting Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja feels Ambala has lost its voice during the BJP rule in the past 5 years. Vowing to raise its voice again, the four-time former Lok Sabha MP said the anti-incumbency against the Congress rule for 10 years at the Centre and in Haryana had given the BJP a chance in 2014. But now, people have made up their mind to vote the Congress back to power both at the Centre and in Haryana, after seeing the difference. In an exclusive interview with Nitin Jain of The Tribune, the daughter of former four-time Sirsa MP late Choudhary Dalbir Singh exudes confidence of defeating her nearest rival sitting BJP MP Rattan Lal Kataria for the third time. Excerpts:

How do you plan to make your comeback in Ambala?

It is not a comeback. I had been in touch with the people of Ambala all through ever since I first stepped in Ambala in 2004. Though I had not contested last elections in 2014, I am in public life and all my people know me full well. I am sure that Ambala will once again repose its faith in me.

How do you see your same old rival, sitting MP Rattan Lal Kataria of the BJP, whom you had defeated twice consecutively in 2004 and 2009?

I always respect my political rivals and never believe in joining personal issues. In the past five years, the kind of government the BJP had given and how the people were taken for a ride is enough for the public to vote for the Congress. No development took place in Ambala in the past 5 years, whereas we had brought projects for each of the total 9 Assembly segments in Ambala during our 10-year rule. I feel Ambala lost its voice in the past 5 years as nobody raised its voice. Ambala has paid a heavy price in the outgoing BJP government, which will turn beneficial for us now. I will raise Ambala’s voice and serve the public once again.

There is a BJP government in Haryana and at the Centre now. How do you see it?

It is a big advantage for the Congress. I am 100 per cent sure that the BJP government is not going to be repeated either at the Centre or in Haryana this time. The Congress is going to form the government at the Centre and in Haryana as well. People are fed up with the untruth and drama unleashed by the BJP in the past 5 years. No development, no employment, nobody got the promised Rs 15 lakh and instead people were made to stand in queues during demonetisation under the garb of brining back black money, which never happened. Last time, there was anti-incumbency against the 10-year rule of the Congress government at the Centre and in Haryana. But now people have seen the difference and have learnt a lesson. This all will turn votes for the Congress this election. People have already made up their mind to throw out the BJP from the Centre and Haryana as well. After the Congress forming the government at the Centre, we will also bounce back in Haryana, which will go to Assembly polls soon after the parliamentary elections.

Why did you leave Ambala in 2014 and went to the Rajya Sabha?

It was the party’s decision but I always maintained my contact and relationship with Ambala, which is my home and its people my family.

What will be your poll plank?

We will deliver what people want. Our manifesto has been prepared after taking into consideration the public expectations and we have promised to do justice with the people. Overall development, welfare of all sections of society and fulfilling the unfulfilled promises will be our priority areas.