Known for his legal fight for justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate HS Phoolka is banking on his clean image and social work to gain a toehold in Dakha constituency, where he is seen as a tough challenger against SAD’s sitting MlA Manpreet Singh Aiyali.
Phoolka feels that drug menace and gundagardi are the key concerns in the State and there is a need to put an end to such problems.
Seen as a potential Chief Ministerial candidate for the AAP, the noted lawyer while talking to The Pioneer, says he has absolutely no aspirations and no greed for the top post.
In his campaign speeches, Phoolka often impresses upon people how he has fought the long legal battle for free for the victim families in Sikh riots
and how Badals and Congress did nothing but ruined the state of Punjab.
The noted lawyer, Phoolka who ringed impressive numbers in lok Sabha election 2014 is likely to prove to be a real spoilsport for the opposition in the high-octane assembly polls. In the lok Sabha election 2014, he contested on AAP’s ticket against Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu from ludhiana but he lost by just 19,709 votes.
Excerpt from the interview
What is the key agenda for you in Assembly pollsIJ
Drug menace and gundagardi are the main problems in the state. As far as my constituency Dakha is concerned, the present government has done nothing for the constituency. A large number of Hepatitis cases are reported from here due to contaminated drinking water, youth are affected due to drug addiction, education and health facilities have been neglected. There is a gundaraj in the constituency and many false FIRs have been registered against innocent people. I am determined to resolve all these issues and work for the development of the state as well as my constituency.
You are seen as AAP’s potential Chief Minister candidate. Your take on that.
I have never thought of this... I have no greed for power or any post. My aim is to work for the welfare of people and put an end to the gundaraj in Punjab.
How do you look at your Congress and Akali opponentIJ Who will give you a tough electoral fightIJ
Both these leaders are together. Akalis and Congress have come together to contest against AAP in the state.
There were reports of rift in Punjab AAP unit and it was said that you were unhappy with the party following which you had resigned from all party posts in 2015. How do you look at the entire controversy nowIJ
At that time, I wanted to devote attention to the anti-Sikh riots cases and rumors were spread by some people but I had no differences with the party.
You are known for spearheading the legal crusade to gain justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims. Do you think this is key factor that would go in your favor in the assembly pollsIJ
It is not only the cases of anti-Sikh riots victims but I have fought cases related to child rights. People are well aware that I have fought for justice free of cost. At present, I am fighting two battles including the electoral battle and the court cases, for which I have to go to Delhi for hearing amidst the busy campaigning schedule. But, I do believe there are many other factors which would go in my favor in the election.
What else do you think would go in your favour in the electionIJ
Aam Aadmi party’s good image among people, my clean image, my long experience in social work and there is no controversy involving me.
What kind of campaigning are you focusing on and how much time do you spend in the field for campaigning in a dayIJ
I spend more than 14 hours for campaigning in a day and focusing on public meetings and road shows.