From lensman to theatre artist: Array of professionals in MC this time

JALANDHAR: A theatre artist and a special educator, a wrestler, a photographer, a tanner, a school principal, an RTI activist, an exporter, law students, teachers and social workers – this Municipal Corporation election has an array of professionals from all walks of life stepping into the political scene and assuring to give their best to the society as a councilor.

Law student Himanshu Sharma doing a door-to-door campaign as BJP candidate with his supporters in ward 52 in Jalandhar on Saturday. Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 9

A theatre artist and a special educator, a wrestler, a photographer, a tanner, a school principal, an RTI activist, an exporter, law students, teachers and social workers – this Municipal Corporation election has an array of professionals from all walks of life stepping into the political scene and assuring to give their best to the society as a councilor.

The entry of Aam Aadmi Party into the political scene has forced all parties to pitch in professionals from varied backgrounds into electioneering mode. If Aam Aadmi Party has given this chance to a theatre activist and a lensman, SAD has picked an exporter, a tanner, a school principal, and BJP has fielded law students and five youth leaders. Most Independently contesting councilors are social workers.

One of the most interesting profiles has been that of AAP candidate from ward no. 67 – Rekha Kashyap (35), who has been a theatre artist with Doordarshan. Besides being a radio jockey for All India Radio and a special educator for mentally challenged children, she is armed with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree and imparts sports training to physically and mentally challenged children.

If her profile is different, so is her campaign. While other candidates are only doing door-to-door campaign, she has roped in her artist friends who are performing nukad nataks. “It’s easier for me to go this way as I am adept with script writing and can perform without any prior rehearsals”, she says.

BJP, which has five youth morcha leaders in fray this time, has picked Himanshu Sharma, a law student from ward no. 52. The 28-year-leader, who is representing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha as district general secretary, quickly bends to touch the feet of his elderly as he goes around his ward in Charanjitpura area.

In the hub of tanners in Buta Mandi falling in ward 30, Ayub Duggal (34), a leather unit owner, is in fray as MC councillor on SAD ticket. Rohan Sehgal (37), a state level wrestler and a law student from KCL college is also an Akali contestant from ward no.26. SAD has brought out another new face- Harjit Kaur (47), who has been a principal for years in a private school and was always forthcoming to help the poor children in education. She is a contestant from the posh ward no. 27. Puran Singh Rathore (70), a Bhat Sikh from general ward no.62, is yet another new face. He is a trader in UK, but now says that he wants to do something for the people of his locality.

Not to be missed out are some Independent candidates including RTI activist and social worker Pankaj Mehta from ward no.64. He has been distributing school uniforms and shoes to poor children. He is actively raising various civic issues from his ward through media time and again.