Contesting from the high-profile Majitha constituency against SAD heavyweight Bikram Singh Majithia, Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate Himmat Singh Shergill is confident of his victory as he hopes to cash in on massive anti-incumbency wave against SAD-BJP Government in Punjab.
AAP’s legal wing in-charge Shergill, who often target Bikram Majithia on the drug issue, vows to put an end to drug menace in Punjab besides putting Majithia behind bars after winning the Assembly election.
Shergill, a prominent lawyer was earlier fielded from Mohali constituency but was later pitted against influential and controversial Cabinet Minister Majithia, who is brother-in-law of SAD chief and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.
“People want change and teach a lesson to Bikram Singh Majithia, who has not done anything for his constituency except flourishing drugs trade in Punjab,” alleges AAP’s candidate Shergill while talking to The Pioneer.
“leaders like Badals and Majithia, deserve nothing less than being thrown into jail,” says Shergill challenging them from Majithia’s home turf.
The AAP candidate Shergill, who gave a tough fight to Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and Congress heavyweight Ambika Soni in 2014 lok Sabha elections had got more than three lakh votes ending up in third place.
Excerpts from the interview:
You had been campaigning in Mohali constituency for almost four months but you were fielded against SAD’s Bikram Singh Majithia from Majitha constituency last month. Do you think it would affect your winning prospectsIJ
No, not at all… People want to defeat Bikram Singh Majithia, who is a drug lord and a criminal. Majithia’a place is in jail and not in Punjab Assembly and people will vote for AAP to ensure Majithia’s defeat.
How do you look at your rival candidates, SAD’s Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress’ Sukhjinder Raj Singh lalliIJ Who do you think would give you a tough fightIJ
I am confident of my victory from Majitha constituency. There has been no development here under SAD’s rule and youth is suffering due to drug menace and unemployment. People are supporting AAP candidates as they are fed up of both SAD-BJP alliance and Congress.
Why Bikram Singh Majithia has been a long-time target of the AAP. He has also filed a defamation case against AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal over controversial remarks allegedly made by him. Your say on that.
Majithia is involved in a multi-crore drug trafficking racket and should be punished for ruining the lives of Punjab’s youth. Drug peddler Jagdish Singh Bhola's had accused Majithia for involving in drug trafficking racket. As he belongs to a prominent political family, no action has been taken against him so far. People are really scared of Akalis in his constituency as thousands of FIRs have been registered here against whosoever spoke against them or took a stand against Akalis. AAP wants to end this gundagardi and put Majithia in jail, where he belongs.
What would be the key agenda for you for assembly pollsIJ
Drug addiction is the biggest problem and I want to put an end to this menace. Besides this, unemployment is another problem.
What would go in your favor in the assembly pollsIJ
The strong undercurrent of anti-incumbency factor against SAD-BJP combine.
What are the challenges you are facing during election campaigningIJ
There is no challenge as I am getting huge support
from the people of this constituency.
What kind of campaigning are you focusing on and how much time do you spend in the field for campaigning in a dayIJ
My focus is door to door campaigning and public rallies. I have been spending more than 12 hours for electioneering.