Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal today said that the candidate of Congress- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance will win the mayoral election in Chandigarh. In this election, the arithmetic is very clear. In the previous two elections, Congress was absent and by default, BJP had won the mayoral election by a margin of single vote. This time, Congress and AAP got together to contest the election. In alliance, the number of councilors is 20 against 15 of BJP including MP’s vote, he adds.
He alleges that by hook or crook, BJP wants power in Municipal Corporation Chandigarh but number is not its favour. Under the influence of BJP leadership, the presiding officer was made ill and Administration on January 18 had postponed the mayoral election. The delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Finally, Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30.
Bansal further says that an attempt of horse trading or other such influence during the ongoing mayoral election is being made by the BJP leaders but they have not succeeded so far. In view of possible horse trading, the Congress party has decided to shift its councilors to other states.
Former Union Minister further says that Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I. Alliance. This alliance is confined to the Chandigarh Mayoral election only so far. The seat- sharing agreement of this alliance in other States will be taken by the Congress high command.
The 75- year- old Bansal, who represented Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency in 1991, 1999, 2004 and 2009, says that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency if the party gives a ticket.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Bansal talks about Chandigarh mayoral elections, AAP-Congress alliance and his candidature in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections among others.
For the first time, Mayoral election could not take place on time. What would you say?
It is unfortunate that the election could not take place on time. Just 15 minutes before the start of the election process on January 18, we got the information that the presiding officer was ill. As per my information, the presiding officer was not ill but he was made ill. On the influence of BJP leadership, the Administration had postponed the elections citing two reasons -presiding officer got ill and law and order problem. BJP did not allow the polls to take place as this party was to face defeat in this election. Delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Later we moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30. I emphasized the need for transparency and careful scrutiny in the electoral process. Administration should guarantee the safety of councilors. I urged voters to refrain from bringing police officers or supporters to the voting booths on Election Day.
For mayoral election, AAP and Congress came together under the I.N.D.I alliance. How do you see seat sharing agreements between these two parties in other states including Punjab and Haryana?
As Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I alliance so leaders of both the parties discussed and finalized the alliance for mayoral election in New Delhi. As per the alliance agreement, the mayor will be from AAP, while the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor will go to the Congress.
As far as alliance in other states are concerned, in Delhi and elsewhere, negotiation is going on regarding seat sharing to put a single candidate against BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Discussion is still on as Lok Sabha election is about two months away. As I do not represent Punjab and Haryana Congress so I can’t comment on that.
Let me say that our alliance is confined to only the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mayoral election so far. Rest of the decision will be taken by the Congress high command. We will abide by whatever decision is being taken by Congress high command.
With the Lok Sabha election approaching nearer, you are seen very active in Chandigarh. Will you contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election?
I have always been active in Chandigarh whether I am elected representative or not. My tenure as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee ended last year. I am now completely devoted to the people of the city. I am in touch with the people and raising their concerns from time to time. People of the city approach me for functions and I have been attending social and cultural activities. I will contest the Lok Sabha election if the party gives me a ticket from Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency.
According to BJP leaders, they have fulfilled its election manifestos including providing food grains to the needy, building of Ram Temple in Ayodhya among others. What would you say?
Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla idol recently held in Ayodhya was purely BJP and RRS’s programme. It was not a religious programme. We all have believe and faith in Lord Rama. We believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Religion is personal faith. We go to temple and worship daily but there is no need to show it. BJP is trying to commercialize the religion which Congress has never done and people will not accept it.
As far as development in 10 years is concerned, the performance is dismal. The propaganda mechanism is at the best. BJP is claiming to provide free ration to 80 crore poor people of the country. But this is possible because of farmers’ hard work and the National Food Security Act brought by Manmohan Singh led Union Government in 2013. Before the election, PM Narendra Modi had promised to provide two crore jobs per year to the youth of the country if voted to power. Where is the job now? On ground, BJP has done nothing for the betterment and benefit of the people of the country.
According to you, regarding Development, where does Chandigarh stand now?
Look at any aspects, where is development in Chandigarh? What are achievements now? According to me, it is not that nothing has been done but it is far from satisfactory in terms of development. In Chandigarh, BJP leaders claim to be doing a lot of things for the city but on the ground nothing has been done. BJP leaders including current MP have no say in Chandigarh Administration. Following this, BJP leaders are not able to do anything for the benefit of Chandigarh and people at large. Administration takes decisions on its own. Chandigarh has not progressed in any sectors.
In our regime, Chandigarh secured top position in cleanliness for consecutive two years at national level and one year, it stood second position. But where is the position of the city now in cleanliness? Currently, the administration has failed to provide safety to the sanitation workers and a good working environment for them. Condition of the road, cycle track, electricity wires among others are not in good condition. Moreover, in the form of income tax, the people of Chandigarh give more money to the consolidated fund of India but what they received. Chandigarh does not receive adequate funds from the centre government. In a broader sense, taxes and user charges have been increased. Land rate for conversion from leasehold to freehold in case of residential property has been increased by 350 per cent and people are facing difficulties. Property tax, water charge, treated water charge, electricity charge, sanitation charge and others have been raised and people have to bear it. There are lots of issues to be raised in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
