Kirron terms Rajnath ‘elder’, lists out demands

Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 9

City MP Kirron Kher was at her eloquent best during the silver jubilee celebration of GMCH-32 here today when she demanded crores from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for various development projects in Chandigarh, terming him as the ‘elder whom she could make demands to’. Replying to her request in an equally witty style, the Minister remarked, “She has cemented her second innings from the same constituency.”

Addressing the gathering, Kirron remarked that it took 16 years for the new academic block, known as the E Block, of the GMCH to get completed. “I had to beg the Union Health Ministry to increase the MBBS seats in the college every year because every time the MCI raised an objection in the wake of the non-completion of the E Block,” she said.

Praising the BJP for speeding up developmental work, Kirron demanded super-specialty F Block at the earliest from the Union Home Minister. “We can get it ready in two months. We only need Rs 150 crore,” said the Bollywood actress-turned-politician in her quintessential style.

 She went on to make more demands from the minister. “We have 10 acre of land in Sector 53 for the trauma centre, Rs 100 crore is what we need. We will be happy if we get it,” she told the Minister.

While Rajnath Singh was all smiles, Kirron’s list of demands kept growing longer. “Rs 200 crore will make our Smart City even smarter and another Rs 180 crore will aid the extension of Kajauli Waterworks, a new pipeline for which is being laid,” she said.  

There came a point when Kirron’s demands made the Minister throw his hands in air, giving up in jest.  But not the one to stop, Kirron went on, “We wish to increase the number of MBBS seats at the GMCH from the current 100 to 150, but I don’t want to fight alone,” she told the Minister in her 

inimitable style. 

She demanded help from Rajnath  for giving Chandigarh an Ayush hospital and for speeding up work on the UT Employees’ Housing scheme.

Kirron praised Rajnath  for extending a helping hand whenever approached.  “People give me credit for development work in Chandigarh, but the credit actually goes to the Union Home Minister for doing so much for the city,” she said concluding her speech.

Taking a note of Kirron’s loquaciousness in putting forth her demands, Rajnath Singh remarked that it was the first time he heard Kirron speak in her constituency. “I could not count but I think her demand must not be less than of Rs 1,000 crore,” the Minister said, evoking a hearty laughter from the audience. He, however, praised Kirron’s hard work and commitment to her constituency. 

Also present on the occasion were VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT, Chandigarh, Parimal Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, Anurag Aggarwal, Home Secretary, Dr Atul Sachdev, Director Principal, GMCH-32, the faculty of GMCH, para medical staff, alumni of the college. The new academic block, called E-block was inaugurated, and a tree plantation drive was held.

The Union Home Minister unveiled a coffee table book, and the annual magazine of the GMCH ‘Glimpse’. He presented awards to meritorious students in various categories like sports, culture, literature/ literary events.