Amid intense political battle, a glimpse of healthy democracy in Ludhiana: Rival candidates exchange warm greetings, hugs

Congress candidate and former minister Bharat Bhushan, who was targeted by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for his “gussa” (anger) and hankaar (arrogance) throughout the campaign, also posted cryptic messages on Facebook saying that he meets everyone with a smile on face.

Except AAP candidate cum Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora, Ashu posted his photos with both BJP and SAD candidates. Ashu met BJP’s Jiwan Gupta outside a polling station where the latter was standing with his supporters. Seeing Gupta, Ashu went there to greet him with folded hands, exchanged a handshake and then a hug.

Both chatted for few minutes before Ashu left after wishing Gupta best of luck for the results.

Congress candidate Ashu hugging BJP’s Jiwan Gupta. (Express Photo)

Ashu, with a video of him hugging Gupta, and wrote: “Jadd marzi dekh layin aake hassde hi rehne aan (You can come and see whenever you want, we always keep smiling).”

In a similar such meeting, Ashu also met SAD candidate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, and both are known to be very close friends since years.

Ashu also posted his photo with Ghumman and wrote: “Sabb nu hasske mil mittra” (Meet everyone with a smile dear friend).

Interestingly, Ashu, a two-time former MLA, was seen touring the constituency on a two-wheeler.

At another booth, SAD’s Ghumman touched the feet of Ashu’s wife Mamta Ashu and said that rivalry aside, Mamta was her “bhabhi”(brother’s wife).

As Ghumman touched her feet and sought blessings, Mamta also reciprocated with folded hands.

SAD candidate Ghumman greeting Mamta Ashu. (Express Photo)

Meanwhile, candidates of former allies- SAD and BJP- also shared a cup of tea together.

Ghumman said that he had a warm meeting with Gupta.

“We also shared a cup of tea together. It was a hectic day for all candidates. I had a warm meeting with both Ashu and Gupta as I know them since long,” he said.

However, all the three candidates from SAD, BJP and Congress said that “high profile AAP candidate maintained distance from them.”

Ashu, taking a dig at AAP candidate, said: “Both Gupta and Ghumman met me warmly but how will fourth one meet us when he is not a common man. He always remains surrounded by his security personnel and VIP people. He is a big man.”

“I and Arora saab came face to face in Haibowal area but he never prefers to greet us or even exchange basic pleasantries. I have no idea why,” said Ghumman.

BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta said that since it was his first political fight, he doesn’t have any personal rivalry with any candidate.

Gupta and Ashu met outside a BJP booth.
(Express Photo)

“In fact, I know Ashu and Ghumman since long. We all are fighting polls on the basis of ideologies of our parties. But it is sad that ruling AAP used money and muscle power to loot the election. They openly distributed cash, ration, liquor etc,” said Gupta.

Situation however turned tense at Malwa Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Model Gram, where Mamta Ashu and Arora came face to face.

Mamta claimed that some outsiders accompanying Arora were allowed to enter the booth.

Even as Arora tried to greet her with folded hands, Mamta was unresponsive.

Arora later said: “I have no idea why she was upset. It is work of security personnel to decide who can enter the booth or not. It’s my habit to greet everyone with folded hands.”