With the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stepping up the ante against the Congress on corruption, the Congress’ counter strategy is built on different grounds this time.
The local unit of the Congress has bent over backwards to improve the image of party’s Chandigarh candidate and sitting MP Pawan Kumar Bansal. Considering residents’ disenchantment against the local MP after the episode of Railway Board Scam, the local party unit has now geared up to apprise the voters about achievements of Bansal and facts related to the Railway scam.
The party will release a booklet on the achievements of Bansal and his vision for Chandigarh’s future. The booklet will be distributed among the general public to apprise people about the development works carried out by Bansal in last 15 years during his tenure as Member Parliament Chandigarh and also, during his tenure as Cabinet Minister.
Besides, a leaflet to disseminate information on how Bansal has been given clean chit in Railway Board scam would be distributed among the city residents. This has been done to counter Opposition’s attack on Bansal over the issue of Railway scam.
Also, hitting out at the opponents BJP’s Kirron Kher and AAP’s Gul Panag, the Congress is presenting Bansal as “son of the soil” while taking a dig at two parachute candidates fielded by the respective opposition parties, Pardeep Chhabra, former Mayor and Congress spokesperson said, “A pamphlet bringing forth the truth of Railway Board scam is also being distributed to the general public. There is a misinformation campaign carried out by the opposition parties on the scam.”
“Besides, the party is already carrying out padyatra, public meetings, nukkad sabhas everyday and the Congress’ candidate is reaching out to the voters of Chandigarh,” he added.
The controversy of Railway Board scam is likely to haunt the local MP in the election time. The opposition parties are already hitting out at Bansal on the issue of corruption during their election campaigns.Also, with strong anti-incumbency mood among the electorate, Bansal is facing a tough fight this time.