Chandigarh BJP president Arun Sood says that there is no anti-incumbency against the party in the ongoing Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election. The party has prepared a 28-page booklet listing its 50 achievements in different socio-development areas and distributed about three lakh copies among the city residents. 

He says that during the BJP tenure in the past six years, Chandigarh has ensured the safety of women, senior citizens and children by installing around 2000 CCTV cameras in every nook and corner of the city. This city has been driven by the ‘double engine’ Administration which was having a privilege of being directly benefited from Central Government’s schemes, BJP chief adds. 

 Excerpts from the interview:

There seems to be strong anti-incumbency against the BJP in this MC election as it has been in power for the past six years. Don’t you think it will be a challenge for your party to retain power in the upcoming MC polls?

There is no anti-incumbency against BJP in this MC election. Party has worked very well during the last six years and people will vote on work done by the party.

Congress has filed a charge-sheet against BJP on its six year rule in MC. How would you react?

The 14-year long tenure of Congress from 2001-2014 in Chandigarh MC would always be remembered for a series of scams and scandals ranging from rail, booth and clothes. Congress has been in Quarantine for the last six years as the party has not raised the pertinent issues of the people. Now Congress is trying to recover in this election but the public is preparing to send them to Quarantine again.

Congress is alleging massive corruption in the last six years under BJP-ruled MC in Chandigarh. What would you say?

Not a single case of corruption was reported in the last six years. Congress had indulged in scams during their 14-year long tenure while the BJP has given impetus to development in the city. As per a recent survey, Chandigarh is much better than other cities and its developmental graph has been appreciated nationally as the city is recognized in the Happiness Survey Index being topped in the chart earlier this year. An oxygen purifier has been installed at the transport chowk to keep the city's air clean and all this has happened during the BJP's tenure. Greenery in the city has increased from 38 to 46 percent. Along with this, cycle tracks have been built along the roads for the convenience of cyclists.

BJP is facing a challenge of nearly dozen rebel candidates in different wards in this MC poll. How will you manage it?

Many candidates have rethought their decision and are now supporting the party candidates. Some candidates are still being pursued by the senior party leaders to have a rethink to contest against the party as independents. We may face such challenges in two or three wards.

Opposition says BJP has failed to deliver on promises to resolve lal dora issue and regularisation of violations in Chandigarh Housing Board houses. What would you say?

For lal dora, we are coming with a land pooling policy. We have not allowed a single demolition in the CHB violation cases and are working to resolve it.

Opposition says Chandigarh dropoed from 3 to 66th position in the Swachh Survekshan rankings under six years of BJP ruled MC. How did it happen?

The city is paying the price for Congress’ mistakes. BJP had taken several steps to improve the rankings. But the dysfunctional waste processing plant is a legacy of Congress’s misrule. We are now rectifying the situation, and all set to upgrade it as per IIT Ropar’s report. Congress leaders had even gone to Europe to study the technology but in the end signed a one-sided contract in favour of the private company with no exit clause. I am sure that the ranking of the city will improve next year.

Do you think price rise and unemployment are issues in this MC poll?

The UT Employees Homes Scheme came in 2008, but in 2012, the Congress regime closed this followed by BJP revival in 2014 and 2016. Moreover, BJP-ruled states and UTs have undertaken a commensurate reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers. Except Punjab, Congress ruled States have not undertaken any reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel. 

How many seats do you expect in the MC election?

The party will win all the 35 seats in the election. In the last election, BJP had won 20 seats and we will repeat the same performance by winning all seats.