Grandfather Beant Singh’s sacrifice was for people of Punjab, not just Cong; my priority is Punjab: Bittu

Q) Now in BJP, how will you see your grandfather’s legacy now who remained a Congressman for life?

A: My grandfather’s legacy, his sacrifice, still stands supreme for me. He was assassinated because he raised his voice against terrorists, stood for Punjab’s peace, and the country’s unity. But we must remember that Sardar Beant Singh’s sacrifice was for Punjab, not just the Congress party. He sacrificed his life for the people of Punjab and their peaceful future. He was the chief minister of Punjab from the Congress party, and no doubt, this party (the Congress) has contributed a lot to the country, but his sacrifice was for the entire Punjab, not a particular political party. I have not said a single word against the Congress, nor will I, but the times have changed. I must say that in today’s times, it is not about the Congress or the BJP; no party is inherently good or bad; it’s about leaders.

Q) Unlike other states, Punjab is not a BJP bastion. If you contest from Ludhiana again, what would be the roadmap?

A: We have no other option left in Punjab. We have tried AAP, Congress, SAD, but did it work? From drugs to gangsters, illicit liquor to farmer issues, Punjab has only moved backward whereas other states are surging ahead. Kisaano pe goliyan chal rahi hain, dande bhi chal rahe hain kyunki koi baat karne wala hi nahi hai (Farmers of Punjab are facing bullets and sticks because there’s no one to talk for them in Delhi). Ludhiana is an industrial hub, but since I was in the Opposition, I couldn’t do even half of what I would have done in ten years as an MP had I been a part of the ruling government. Before taking this call to join the BJP, I spoke to several industrialists, medium and small industry owners, and they said all their work could be done only via Delhi, be it new highways, trains, flights. The industry in Ludhiana moved to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, etc., because there was no one to represent them in Delhi. There has to be someone in Delhi to talk about Punjab, its issues. I will be working to ensure Punjab gets its rightful due from Delhi. People of Punjab must trust BJP once now. Whenever I speak to (union home minister) Amit Shah, he says we are ready to do a lot for Punjab. So then why should we keep quiet and not take what rightfully belongs to Punjab? So much is pending to be done for Punjab’s industry, farmers, laborers, etc.

Q) Which issues would be your priority if elected for the third time from Ludhiana?

A: My first and foremost priority is Punjab, its farmers, the state’s development, and to bridge this communication gap between the Centre and the people of Punjab. Dilli hamari hai (Delhi is ours), we have to fight for Punjab’s rights no matter what. It feels really hurting when you are a three-time MP, young and energetic, but can’t do enough for the people being a part of the Opposition. I am soon going to be 50 years old, but I spent ten precious years being in the Opposition when it was actually time to plan new projects and give back to the people who elected me. The point is why should Punjab suffer? At least 600 farmers lost their lives (during farm protests 1.0), but we could do nothing sitting in the Opposition.

Q) Do you think you might have been hurt by anti-incumbency had you contested for the fourth consecutive time on the Congress ticket in the coming polls?

A: I won on the Congress ticket in 2014 from Ludhiana when AAP and Modi wave swept the state and country, respectively. I again won in 2019 when the Modi wave again swept the country. Even if I had lost on the Congress ticket this time, it would hardly have mattered to me. The point is, had I won, I would have wasted another five years sitting in Opposition. For ten years, I did all I could sitting in Opposition, but when you are a part of the government, things are totally different. Why should only Punjab farmers take bullets and sticks? I am not at all saying that Congress is a bad party or its leaders are not good. Both our president, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and working president, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, are young and working tirelessly for the party, but my priority is Punjab, its people, and development, not parties. Right now, Punjab and its people need a bridge between them and Delhi (the Centre).