Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll: Issues that parties stop discussing, matters that voters start delibrating upon

The AAP organised over a dozen road shows in the nine Assembly segments of the Lok Sabha seat where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal highlighted that they have provided free power to 80% of people of the state, opened 580 Aam Aadmi Clinics and gave appointment letters to 28,000 people of the state. They also claimed to have worked against corruption by arresting several bigwigs.

The AAP also said that there will be unprecedented development in the coming 11 months before 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, the opposition parties — Congress, Akali Dal and BJP — attacked the AAP on the issues of law and order, creating a VVIP culture, not acting against drug menace, sacrilege and party leader’s involvement in immoral activities.

The Congress attacked CM and Kejriwal for creating a VVIP culture as Leader of Opposition (LOP) Partap Singh Bajwa said that these “aam adamis” are living a life of “maharajas” (kings) in reality.

“Kejriwal spent Rs 45 crore on the renovation of his government house and is enjoying double Z plus security — one from the Centre and another from the Punjab government — and using two Land Cruiser vehicles provided by the Mann and 80 commandos from the Punjab Police. Bhagwant is moving along with 122 vehicles, and got five houses in his name, including two in the name of camp office. He has 900 security men. Thirty to 50 security men have been provided to his wife, mother and sisters. Out of eight Land Cruisers, four are being used by him, one each by his wife and AAP MP Raghav Chadha and two by Kejriwal,” said Bajwa, adding that the process of creating jobs which Mann is claiming credit for was completed during the Congress regime.

The Congress also attacked the AAP for patronising fugitives and intimidating sarpanches to vote for their party candidates. The Congress leaders challenged the AAP leaders to show a single farmer from Jalandhar who got Rs 15,000 in compensation for wheat crop damage.

SAD leader Bikram Majithian attacked the AAP for shielding Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak in a sleazy video case. The SAD blamed the AAP for cheating women by not giving them Rs 1,000 per month as promised and alleged that the AAP is anti-Dalit and did not fulfil its promise of appointing a Dalit as Deputy CM.

The BJP blamed the APP for creating a culture of ‘extortion’ and anxiety in the state.

BJP leader and former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that the drug menace had touched new heights under the AAP and now rivers of drugs are flowing in the state. Due to poor law and order, no big company will come to the state which would lead to huge unemployment, added Captain.

With the campaigning ending, now it is over to voters to decide whom to vote for. That is a big question for many eligible voters as they feel all political parties are more or less the same and “they promise big but give very less”.

“Every party is promising big development — something we have not seen in all our lives. Still, I will vote on May 10,” said Malkiat Chand, a resident of Udesian village in Adampur constituency.

One change that he has seen in his life is that around 80 per cent people are getting ‘zero power bill’ now. “But I want that instead of such policies, the government should provide a permanent solution like good employment opportunities so that we can bear all our expenses rather than asking such things from the government,” said Malkiat.

When people do not get nine out of the 10 promised things, they feel cheated but then they realise that at least they are getting something and decide about their votes accordingly, said farmer Kuldeep Singh of Malsian village under the Shahkot Assembly segment. “I will vote after seeing which political party has done what for farmers.”

Seema Sharma, a teacher in the Jalandhar North constituency, has a practical approach. She maintains that only that leader should be voted whose party has a government either in the state or at the Centre because this candidate can get money for development purposes. “In our Santokh Pura locality, the basic amenities are very poor. One can see garbage heaps in the open,” she said.

“In our village people are supporting different parties. They are happy with the power bill waiver but they cannot leave their party affiliations too,” said an elderly man, Jagtar Singh of Kadian village under the Jalandhar Cantt. Assembly segment.

“No party can bring a big change in the lives of the people because after winning elections, their (political) vested interests become more important to them than the public. Then they launch two-three popular policies as a strategy to win the next elections,” said Jagtar, adding that like politicians, people too want to snatch whatever is available for free.

“We give taxes for the development, but a major portion of that money goes directly into the pockets of ruling political parties. They are not ready to spend public money on public works. Big leaders should have taken a round of Jalandhar to know how people are living in hell-like conditions in with choked sewer system and garbage all around,” said Master Sohan Singh of Santoshi Nagar under Jalandhar Central constituency.

“My son is a graduate but he is doing labour work as no job, government or private, is available to him here. Now I am planning to send him abroad after borrowing money from the bank and my relatives,” said Jasbir Kaur of Jandhu Singha village.

“We wanted to get rid of our debt. Earlier, Congress had promised it and also waived off some of it but the debt is still there. No party is ready to provide hand-holding to the farmers,” said farmer Paramjit Singh of Nakodar.