Eyeing politics as a vibrant medium of serving people, Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, 59, an IAS officer of the 2004 batch, has geared up for his maiden electoral battle in the high-octane Punjab Assembly polls.
Venturing into the electoral battlefield straightway on a SAD ticket from Mohali constituency after taking premature retirement, Sidhu is banking on his experience as a bureaucrat to gain a toehold in the constituency.
TPS Sidhu, son-in-law of senior Akali leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and brother-in-law of Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhinsa, also hopes to gain political advantage over his rival candidates due to his well known political family in the state.
Pitted against Congress candidate and MlA Balbir Singh Sidhu and AAP candidate Narinder Singh Shergill, Sidhu considers the Congress candidate as his main rival.
Sidhu, a former Army officer was selected to Punjab Civil Services in 1989 and elevated to the Indian Administrative Service in 2012. He held his last posting as secretary Punjab agriculture marketing board.
“The journey in Punjab politics has just started and my aim is to work for overall development of Mohali constituency as well as the state,” says TPS Sidhu while talking to The Pioneer.
During his stint as the Mohali deputy commissioner for around three years from early 2013 to February 2016, he attempted to become a familiar face among the electorate and now, hopes to cash in over development plank in the ensuing polls.
The SAD candidate has placed development issues high on his election agenda. Excerpts from the interview
What prompted you to join politics and start your political innings from MohaliIJ
I have served as Mohali DC for almost three years and worked for the development of the area. Associating with a political party like SAD and contesting election on SAD ticket from Mohali would be another good medium to serve people.
As you are related to a prominent political family of Punjab, would it be an advantage or disadvantage for you in the polls. SAD-BJP alliance is facing significant anti-incumbency this time.
I believe that this would be a great advantage for me as my family is well known and well placed in Punjab’s political scenario. Also, the ten-year rule of SAD-BJP has seen tremendous development in the state which I consider as another advantage for me.
What would be the key agenda in your constituency for Sssembly pollsIJ
Basically, development would be the key agenda. The party would soon release its election manifesto however as far as election agenda for Mohali is concerned, education, waste management, water supply are key issues here, which I have promised to improve when elected.
How do you look at your Congress and Aam Aadmi opponentIJ
It is the people to judge who is better for them. I believe that people would judge the candidates on all parameters including education, experience among others.
Who is your main competitorIJ
I consider Congress candidate as a tough competitor.
What kind of campaigning are you focusing on and how much time do you spend in the field for campaigning in a dayIJ
I am spending more than 13 hours in election campaigning and focusing on combination of all kinds of campaigning including door to door visits, social media and public meetings.
What would go in your favor in the assembly pollsIJ
My three years tenure as Mohali DC, during which I have ensured implementation of many development projects and also, become a familiar face among people here. As the former DC and later, as Secretary of the Punjab Mandi Board, I have always given priority to development and redressing people’s grievances.