Akash Ghai
Mohali, January 24
The chilly winter morning seems to have no effect at the residence of IAS-turned-politician Capt Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu in Sector 34, Chandigarh, where Akali workers start turning up to meet him at 7 am. An ex-Army man and former bureaucrat, Sidhu, has no grudge against it as he knows it would continue till February 4, the day of voting for the Assembly elections.
The SAD-BJP combine candidate from Mohali, Sidhu further said, “It’s the time to give a final shape to my today’s schedule, meet dissidents, party activists and other people from the constituency.”
Sidhu’s breakfast with his wife Mandeep Kaur, daughter of Akali stalwart Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, concluded in a jiffy while giving instructions to a party leader over the phone to make Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s rally at Chashme Shahi Banquet Hall on January 26 evening a simple affair.
It’s 9.30 am, the time to set off in a Toyota Fortuner with some local Akali leaders on a tour of six villages and two venues in Phases and VII under the today’s election campaign.
Sidhu’s cavalcade, comprising six cars, started from Kandala, a Congress-dominated village, before going to Barri and Matran villages, where votes are said to be divided between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
First-timer Sidhu was evidently happy with the response he received at these villages. “I will have to go to these villages, which are known as the Congress strongholds,” said Sidhu after reminding achievements of the SAD-BJP government with a request to test him this time.
During a brief halt at a banquet hall in Nagari village, where a meeting of local ‘sarpanches’ and ‘panches’ was held for finalising the arrangements for the Badal’s rally, the campaigners got a chance to have some snacks with tea.
“Mostly, we don’t have time for lunch. My life has entirely changed,” said Sidhu before proceeding to Daun and Raipur villages.
“Though I got little time, I am satisfied with my campaign,” said Sidhu while entering the urban area.
When asked when he would return home, Sidhu had no reply. “I don’t know. However, I will try to have my dinner with my family,” he said.