What’s your typical campaigning day like? Ever since I was elected a legislator in 2014, I have made it a point to visit, almost daily, the welfare projects I had conceived. These days, I start my day at 8 am and finish it around 11 pm after visiting over a dozen villages and towns. There is so much ground to be covered. What do you eat on the go? People of Haryana, be it in its cities or villages, are very generous. I don’t carry any food and eat whatever is offered. I prefer to eat at people’s homes and don’t like restaurants. But I do keep a bottle of lassi handy as in Haryana, people tend to add green chilies to it and that’s too hot for me. What do you miss the most about your normal life during the campaign? I have two infant grand-daughters, who are adorable. One is two months old, the other is four months old. I sorely miss playing with them and seeing them grow up. Do you factor in heat in your campaign? Our farmers toil in the fields regardless of the weather. It’s easier for me. How do you unwind? I love tending to my garden. “Ped meri zindagi hain (Trees are my life)”. The bright marigold is my favourite flower and ficus is my go-to plant. My sons, Dushyant (former deputy CM) and Digvijay are always telling me to take a breather but I love pottering around my garden. It gives me immense peace and pleasure.
