Follow Us
Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 24
“Momentary hai ji – rehni nai gal. Jiddan AAP charhi si, es vari lokan ne BSP nu votan paatiyan. Lokan ne fer mehsoos karna sada fayda tan koi hoeya nahi. Hat jange picche. Vargalayay gaya aam workers de sentiments nu,” newly elected BJP MP from Hoshiarpur, Som Parkash, says on the BSP’s surge in the state. After having won with a margin of 48,930 votes, the BJP MP believes it’s not him but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, which led him to victory. With farmers’ and Dalit issues among his priorities, he terms the BSP surge, a flicker. Parkash also terms fellow BJP leader Vijay Sampla’s dissent to his ticket a trivial matter. Excerpts of a conversation:
What do you credit the mandate to the BJP in Hoshiarpur to?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies are the biggest reason for the victory. People want honest leaders. Right during the start of the campaign, it was clear that that the state had a more intense Modi wave than 2014. All others leaders have been dwarfed before Modi. Be it Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati or Mamta Banerji. Modi ji stands tall. That is why they voted for him.
The BSP has seen an unusual surge in Punjab. What is your take?
It is a momentary swing similar to that of AAP in 2014. Just like that people have voted for the BSP now. But it won’t stay. The moment people realise they haven’t profited, they will stop backing the party. Vargalayay gaya aam workers de sentiments nu (their sentiments have been played with). After the Supreme Court judgment on the SC-ST Act, the leadership in the SC-ST community created an illusion among people that something was wrong. They spread propaganda that the BJP would change the Constitution of India. Ground level workers are very emotional and are swayed in the name of Dr Ambedkar and other big leaders. The leaders feeding this to their mind are totally corrupt and they mislead them.
You won despite initial resentment from Union Minister Vijay Sampla?
Ik individual da kahda dissent hunda hai ji? Individual da dissent chalda hi nahi hai. Mera wajood party de naal hai. Party ton pare ho javan mennu kaun puchega? Eh sannu samajhna chahida hai sareya nu. (One individual’s dissent doesn’t count. It doesn’t work. Without the party, nobody would know me). In any case, the issue with Sampla was resolved and he said he would back the party. People don’t bother much about it.
What’s your agenda for Hoshiarpur?
We will ensure continuous development. Better implementation of government schemes and projects, rail connectivity and development of industry are the prime issues in the area. A national highway from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur has already been declared. That shall also be pursued.
There has been much resentment on post-matric scholarship scheme in Doaba?
The government gives scholarships. But they aren’t disbursed. The Centre gave the funds to Punjab, but these were not disbursed. That is why there is resentment. These should have been disbursed on time. I will definitely take up the issue and bring it to its logical conclusion.
What about the receding water level?
I have spoken in the Vidhan Sabha that the water levels are receding. A policy should be made. Unfortunately, when the SAD-BJP government was there, not much could be done. We have to give special attention to this issue. If we don’t, Punjab will be rendered barren soon.
What would you say on union berth aspirations?
The party made me MLA and MP twice. Now, I am the MP. What more can the party give? I will do the duty I am asked to do. As such, I’m totally satisfied. Whatever the party has given is enough.
What are the key state issues?
Farmers’ issue right in the beggining, Secondly, Punjab has a big SC population and their issues will be taken up. Thirdly, I will vouch for communal harmony and development.
1