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Success story with traditional vote bank, disenchantment with other parties

JALANDHAR:Having lost the 2017 Vidhan Sabha poll, Balwinder Kumar, the Bahujan Samaj Party-Punjab Democratic Party (BSP-PDP) alliance candidate from the district, hopes to garner the maximum number of votes this time as compared to his counterparts.

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Ajay Joshi
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 16

Having lost the 2017 Vidhan Sabha poll, Balwinder Kumar, the Bahujan Samaj Party-Punjab Democratic Party (BSP-PDP) alliance candidate from the district, hopes to garner the maximum number of votes this time as compared to his counterparts. Crafting his strategies around the claim of development, the former journalist believes his clean image and giving up a Class II-officer job will help him develop trust among people.

What do you think afflicts the city the most and what are the solutions to such problems?

Key factors that bother the people are poor administrative system, healthcare, education, law and order situation, distressed sections, restrained approach to avail benefit and pollution. I think making the administration pro-people will help the public approach any official to get their work done. The accountability of officials will be enhanced and I want to end the role of the middleman.

Major vote bank?

Besides the BSP’s core vote bank, disappointed people from the SC/ST community, who had aspirations from the incumbent Congress government and the SAD-BJP alliance, will press the BSP button. After a dispute in the AAP, we were also getting support from the people who had earlier voted for it.

You lost from Kartarpur in 2017. What do you think will help you to get the magic number?

The BSP’s lone journey during the Vidhan Sabha poll was the sole reason for our defeat. Hence, the alliance with the PDP would certainly turn out to be fruitful for it. The party was getting a good response from the electorate and with the gained momentum of the party’s door-to-door campaigning, the BSP would definitely win. Besides, 2.5 lakh fallen vote share of the AAP would support our party.

Your take on allegations that the SAD is providing funds to the BSP?

This is completely baseless. How could a party which is already losing its significance in the state would support us. In fact, the SAD is in a fear that its vote bank would turn towards the BSP.

Last day strategy?

Knocking every door in villages and carrying out rallies till the last hours and our social media accounts had widened our reach in addressing our issues and promises.

Did catchy posters and songs help?

Regional folklore, including ‘Bari barsi khatan gaya si’, definitely helped in striking a chord with local residents. Hence, what else could be the best way to connect with them. During the campaigning, our posters were widely shared on social media and this directly served our purpose to connect with youth.

The role of deras and NRIs in the party’s canvassing?

Deras of the SC/ST community have shown us support and the traditional deras of other parties also developed faith in us. I can’t tell the number but a sizeable number of NRIs, who consider us as the new face of Punjab, would support us.

What if you lose again, will you continue to serve people in the city?

I have been in politics for the past five years. I am very much aware of the local issues. Hence, it doesn’t matter whether I lose or win. I will always work for the development of the people in the district.

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