Follow Us
WITH the state elections round the corner, the political activities have intensified across the state and Ambala Cantonment is no exception.
Though this Vidhan Sabha constituency, close to state capital Chandigarh, had been equally represented by the BJP and the Congress five times each since its inception in 1967, the sitting five-time BJP MLA Anil Vij has been the lone Independent candidate to win from here twice consecutively in 1996 and 2000.
The results of the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the BJP made a clean sweep by winning all 10 parliamentary seats in Haryana have left the ruling party upbeat and the Congress dejected while all other opposition parties are in deep slumber.
While Vij, who is Health and Sports Minister in the present Manohar Lal Khattar Cabinet, is the undisputed BJP choice for the ensuing Assembly election from here, the other parties remain undecided so far. Chitra Sarwara, a former municipal councillor and daughter of four-time former Congress MLA and Minister Nirmal Singh, has staked claim for the Congress ticket from here this time. She has been active in party activities here.
Though the area still lacks adequate basic amenities with cleanliness, drainage, stray cattle and dilapidated condition of roads remaining perennial problems, development has taken a big leap in the past five years. The first-ever international football stadium, war heroes’ memorial, upgraded state-of-the-art civil hospital, upcoming bank square, four-laning of highways, strengthening of bridges are few of the many multi-million projects that Ambala Cantonment had got by the present government. Talking to a cross section of people in this segment revealed that by and large they were satisfied with the present government.
A college student Rajni said BJP remained the only option as the Congress and other parties had no face to attract voters. A government employee Surinder Singh said the system remained the same but people had no choice but to vote for the BJP.
TOTAL VOTERS 1,91,689
1,01,945 Men
89,744 Women
KNOW THE CONSTITUENCY
Ambala Cantonment was constituted way back in 1843. Ambala remains an important centre for manufacturing of scientific and surgical instruments besides having one of the biggest railway stations.
Legislatorspeak
My work speaks for itself. ‘Kaam kiya hai, kaam karenge’ remains my slogan in every election. Ambala Cantonment is my home and its people my family. I am fully prepared to contest once again and get re-elected. People had already put a stamp of approval on my work during the recent Lok Sabha poll. Anil VIJ, BJP MINISTER
Oppositionspeak
It’s challenging but not impossible. With public feeling cheated and dejected under the BJP rule and my public connect, I am confident of getting a Congress ticket and putting up a strong opposition before Anil Vij, who has served the constituency for 25 years but failed to improve its perennial public problems. Chitra Sarwara, Congress leader
1
2