Former Punjab BJP president and sitting Pathankot MlA, Ashwani Sharma is facing a tough electoral path to victory against his bete noire and three-time MlA Master Mohan lal, who has also jumped into the fray as an independent from the constituency. With BJP’s prominent rebel Master Mohan lal having a substantial vote bank in Pathankot, Sharma is finding the going tough as he makes a pitch for a second successive term.
Claiming to have brought a number of development projects in Pathankot, Sharma hopes to cash in over development plank in the Assembly polls.
“Development of my constituency has remained my priority during my term,”
says Ashwani while talking to The Pioneer. Sharma says, “Solving the traffic problem in Pathankot would be my priority now.” “I believe in positive politics,” says he while maintaining silence on the issue Master Mohan lal contesting as an independent against him.
Sharma and Mohan lal had parted ways in 2012 after the former was given the BJP ticket from Pathankot seat. After being neglected by the party again in 2017, Mohan lal decided to contest as an Independent.
Meanwhile, the sitting MlA Sharma has placed development issues high on his election agenda. Excerpts from the interview
One of the most prominent BJP rebel-former Minister Master Mohan lal has filed his nomination as an independent from Pathankot constituency after the BJP fielded you from the seat. Do you think, this will affect your winning prospects this timeIJ
Master Mohan lal is a senior leader and I do not want to comment on this issue. In my constituency, my work and action speaks for itself.
It has been said that you did not get along too well with Gurdaspur sitting MP Vinod Khanna. Will he campaign for you in the constituencyIJ
There are no differences between me and the local MP. He has not been keeping well and if his health permits, he will come for electioneering.
There have been allegations from your rivals that no work has been done to improve the sanitation and health services in Pathankot during your tenure. Your take on that.
This is not true. A lot of work has been done to improve health services in Pathankot in past five years. Facilities in the civil hospital have been improved. Though there is no competition with private health service providers, but we are still trying to provide best public health services to the people in the constituency.
What is the key agenda in your constituency for Assembly pollsIJ
The main problem here is traffic and I would definitely work to improve it. I have promised to provide free wi-fi at railway station and bus stand. Besides, focus would be to improve water supply.
How do you look at your Congress and AAP opponentsIJ Who do you think will give you a tough electoral fightIJ
No comments… I believe in positive politics and do not want to comment on my opponents.
What would go in your favour in the Assembly pollsIJ
The development works I have done in my constituency in the past five years. I had got district status for Pathankot earlier and also got Pathankot town the municipal corporation. Besides, I have brought in a number of projects, including a stadium, a Government college, an auditorium, bridges and about Rs 110 crore were spent for improving road network in my constituency.
What kind of campaigning are you focusing on and how much time do you spend in the field for campaigning in a dayIJ
I have been holding public meetings. From last six months, I have done nukkad meetings and going out door to door to meet the voters. I spend more than 12 hours in the field for electioneering.