In Hoshiarpur, vote on Modi vs Capt performance

FIRST

We have one aim, to make NaMo PM again: Som Parkash

The BJP candidate from Hoshiarpur , Som Parkash, tells TOI’s Vinod Kumar in an interview that the ‘Modi factor’ will see him through all challenges.

Q. You unsuccessfully fought from the Hoshiarpur seat in 2009. What will you do differently this time?

I lost the elections by a thin margin. We will ensure that the mistakes of 2009 are not repeated. We are contesting this election as a close-knit unit and are confident of registering a convincing victory. Our aim is to make Narendra Modi PM again.

Q. Contrary to your claims, BJP appears to be a divided house?

That’s not so. Avinash Rai Khanna, Tikshan Sood and other senior party members are aggressively campaigning for me. I have sorted out all differences with Vijay Sampla and he has promised to join me in the campaign. Everyone has rallied behind me.

Q. What are the election issues of your constituency?

We are contesting the election in the name of PM Narendra Modi. The main issues are poverty, development, national security and self-respect of the country. We are highlighting the achievement of Modi government and failures of Congress government in the state. In its two-year rule in Punjab, the Congress government has failed to keep its promises and people are not happy. The recent diktat asking party MLAs and ministers to ensure that candidates in their area win or they will lose their ministership and won’t get tickets shows that Congress is nervous.

Q. Congress announced its candidate well in advance, but BJP was late in naming you as its pick. Will it matter?

In the last two Vidhan Sabha elections, my name was announced at the last moment, too, but I won. Delay in announcement of my candidature has been my good luck charm. We have time to cover every nook and corner of the constituency.

Q. Will Modi be a factor in the election?

A Modi wave is visible in my constituency and people are impressed with the development works executed by the central government in last five years. People have made up their minds to re-elect Modi as prime minister.

Q. Hoshiarpur seat has been won alternatively by Congress and the BJP since 1999. Will you be able to change this?

I am confident of breaking this trend like I did in Phagwara during the assembly elections. Hoshiarpur seat was won by BJP in 2014 and I am confident of overcoming the anti-incumbency factor.

Q. How would you compare Modi with Rahul Gandhi?

There is absolutely no comparison between Modi and Rahul. Modi has worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people, proving his mettle in India and across the world, whereas Rahul doesn’t even know how to talk and what to talk. He had to accept before the Supreme Court that he had lied about the top court’s verdict in the Rafale deal case. He is not ready to lead the country.

Q. After being denied ticket, Sampla remarked that BJP has committed “cow slaughter”. How do you see it?

Anyone would have reacted in a such manner. It’s human nature. He is a senior and respected leader of the party and we need his support and guidance.

Q. Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal is seen as your main opponent. How do you rate him?

We are colleagues in Vidhan Sabha and respect each other. We also share a good rapport. After getting the ticket, I had called him, and we agreed to have a constructive contest without making any personal attacks.

SECOND

Working as one team for a big win: Dr Chabbewal

The Congress candidate from Hoshiarpur, Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, tells TOI’s Vinod Kumar in an interview that the Congress government’s performance in Punjab will ensure his win

Q. What are the main election issues in Hoshiarpur?

Poor health infrastructure and unemployment are key issues. A multi-speciality hospital of the level of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been a long pending demand in the constituency. There is also a need to improve the existing health and education set-ups. Only the advent of big industry will help create jobs.

Q. Congress announced your candidature well in advance of BJP. Will it help you?

Timely announcement of candidature gives the nominee ample time to strategize and more time to campaign. It also provides time to the contestant and party workers to get their act together. In my case, it has given a big boost to my campaign.

Q. BJP appears to be a divided house. Will it help you?

We are not concerned about what’s happening in the rival camp. There are seven Congress MLAs in Hoshiarpur and all of them, along with all party members, have come out in my full support. Even those who were denied ticket are backing me. Everyone is supporting my candidature as a team. We are going to the people with the achievements of Punjab Congress in last two years.

Q. Will Modi be a factor in the election?

There is no denying that there was a Modi wave in 2014, but it’s a thing of the past. This time, it’s missing. Unlike 2014, BJP is not getting support from the people. The vote will be on performance of the BJP-led central government, which failed on all fronts. Modi wave is totally missing so far.

Q. Hoshiarpur seat has been won alternatively by Congress and BJP since 1999. Will this trend continue?

This has been a trend in the last few elections, but we cannot pin our hopes of winning the election on this. We will have to put up our best show to wrest the seat from BJP. There is no room for complacency in electoral politics. The party which will work aggressively as one unit will win. We are confident of victory, that too, with a big margin.

Q. How would you compare Modi with Rahul Gandhi?

Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi are totally different. Modi indulges in politics of hate and divide whereas Rahul Gandhi always want to take everyone along. Whatever he says comes from the heart. Rahul is the tallest leader in the country and people are supporting him as Modi has failed to deliver. They are also unhappy with the Modi’s style of functioning.

Q. What do you have to say about the CM’s diktat making everyone responsible for winning the elections?

It is the duty of every party worker, MLA and minister to ensure victory of their candidates from their respective areas. Punjab CM has taken the right decision by conveying this to MLAs and ministers. People who support the candidate should be rewarded and those indulging in anti-party activities should be punished. It’s a collective responsibility.

Q. Som Prakash is seen as your main opponent. How do you rate him?

He is a seasoned campaigner and a tough opponent. I will have to work well to beat him. I will be aggressive but will not cross the line by indulging in mudslinging. It’s going to an interesting contest and I am confident of winning.