Senior Congress leader and prominent Dalit face of Punjab Congress, Raj Kumar Verka, who is contesting election from Amritsar West, says that people will bring back Congress party-led by incumbent chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi with a clear majority as it is the only party which can take all sections of the society along and lead the state on the path of development. Verka says the people of the SC community will not be misled by leaders of opposition parties like Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bahujan Samaj Party as they seek vote on the name of welfare and upliftment but no one has done anything for people of this community. Only Congress party has implemented Father of the Constitution B R Ambedkar’s vision through reservation for the scheduled castes and tribes and a law to prevent atrocities against them. The special component plan for the scheduled castes and tribes and reservation in education are Congress government policies based on Ambedkar’s ideas for Dalit empowerment, he adds.
Verka, who was assigned portfolio of social justice, empowerment and minorities, new and renewable energy sources besides medical education and research under CM Channi-led Government in the Punjab, first successfully contested for Legislative Assembly from Verka constituency in 2002. In 2007, he was defeated but in 2012, he was elected from Amritsar West. He was elected for his third term in 2017 and held the post of Vice Chairman in National Commission for Scheduled Castes. He was reappointed as vice-chairman of National SC Commission in 2013 and continued till 2016. In an interview, Verka talks about works done in his constituency as public representative, his election campaign, Congress’ stands on pertinent issues related to common people, its challengers AAP, SAD, BJP, BSP among other issues. Excerpts from the interview:
Punjab has the highest percentage of Dalit population among all the States — close to 32% and all political parties are making all out efforts to garner their support. Will Congress be able to secure Dalit vote?
People of all the sections of the State especially those belonging to the SC community are behind Channi and his leadership. They know that CM Channi can take all sections of the society along and lead the state on the path of development. Dalits have traditionally voted for Congress because they see development only with the Congress. Only Congress party has implemented Father of the Constitution B R Ambedkar’s vision.
Opposition alleges Congress always used SCs for votes and is responsible for the plight of the community in Punjab and rest of the country. What would you say?
People of the SC community will not be misled by leaders of other political parties as they seek votes on the name of welfare and upliftment. No one has done anything for the SC community. The special component plan for the scheduled castes and tribes and reservation in education are Congress Government policies based on Ambedkar’s ideas for Dalit empowerment. The Congress party has a social agenda for the poor, weaker and down trodden sections and needy people.
In your constituency Amritsar West, do you see any threat from AAP, which has been gaining strength as per opinion polls?
People of the constituency have been supporting me for the last ten years. There is no threat from AAP. I have no contest with them. They are only fighting for the second spot. I am seeking support in the name of development works carried out in the constituency during the last one decade. I am fighting the fifth election. In fear of losing their election, the Opposition parties are changing their candidates each time. We are focusing on quality education and better health infrastructure in the constituency.
You are seeking votes for the third time from your present Assembly constituency Amritsar West. What are major works done during your previous two terms?
During the pandemic, which was an unprecedented health crisis, my team and I provided relief work to the needy persons and families. Government schools and hospitals in the constituency have been upgraded, roads carpeted and new sewerage pipelines laid during my tenure. I got roads repaired with whatever grants I got. I have been socially active in my constituency. We are laying stress on providing better education and health facilities in the constituency. After coming to power again, the Congress Government will make efforts to revive industrial hubs in Amritsar.
During previous Assembly elections, Congress made several promises including elimination of drug menace but nothing done on the ground in the last five years. What would you say?
On the drug issue, I would say that menace raised its ugly head during the SAD-BJP Government who allegedly sheltered drug peddlers. The Congress Government curtailed the rampant drug peddling by putting peddlers behind the bar. We also nailed criminal gangs and notorious gangsters in the last five years.
Do you see the possibility of Punjab throwing up a hung verdict with so many players, including the Congress, AAP, SAD-BSP, BJP-led alliance, in the fray?
People would give a clear mandate to the Congress party. People have to be watchful and vote only for the party and candidate whose work and credentials are reliable and good. BJP has no base in Punjab. BJP believed in the politics of pressure and oppression and Punjabis knew their tactics. The BJP, along with its alliance partner Punjab Lok Congress, and other political outfits like SAD-BSP and AAP would get a crushing defeat in this election. Also, everybody knew how SAD had ruined Punjab, the people would disprove them in the elections.
Do you think people of Dalit community would vote for Congress in the name of first Dalit chief minister of the State?
CM Channi is very popular among people of Dalit Community. He is a poor-oriented, farmer-oriented, village-oriented, common man-oriented chief minister. In his short stint of 111 days, Channi took several pro-people decisions and acted against the "drug mafia". As the first SC to head the Government in the State, he has been socially welcomed and admired by the community.
Congress is struggling with constant infighting. Opposition says Congress cannot give a stable Government to Punjab. Even after coming to power, they will continue to fight amongst themselves like this.
Congress was a democratic party where every leader or worker has the right to raise their voice. All the leaders in the Congress are unitedly working for the party and we will win this election with a clear majority.