Controversial candidate HS Walia aims to liven up AAP chances in elections

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 8

With most parties fielding candidates from the Cantt constituency in Jalandhar having already witnessed or are expected to (read: Congress) witness rebellion post ticket announcements, the Cantt could be termed the queen of rebellions in the Jalandhar battleground ahead of the 2017 polls.

Among charges flying right, left and centre and ego clashes between stalwarts – the AAP’s has placed its bets on newbie candidate businessman HS Walia to tread on Cantt’s sticky electoral wicket these elections. Amidst an embattled scenario, controversy’s baby Walia is keeping his hopes pinned on a hectic campaign schedule.

A first-time candidate, Walia who says he hasn’t even contested a sarpanch poll in the past, says he banks on excessive hard work. Waking up at 5.30 am every day, he’s out on the campaign trail by 6.30-7 am.

While he has made a round of the entire constituency once, he is now focusing on visiting two-three prime areas every day and says he is left touched by the enthusiasm of the village folk. As some elderly village women feed him laddoos during a rural visit, he says he shall repay their faith with work.

His entire family has plunged into the campaign trail along with him. His wife Gurpreet Kaur Walia – whom he proudly introduces as a double MA, mother Amarjit Kaur Walia and both sisters (both married and stay at Chandigarh) are in Jalandhar ever since his candidature was declared, campaign for him. Every day, they all set put in different teams to visit the area.

His twin sons Karanvir Singh and Ishvir Singh – nicknamed Luv and Kush – have also been affected by the campaign. “They haven’t gone to school for many days. Their mother is always out. She is the one who takes care of them. But its a new experience for the entire family, I am sure they will cover up.”

While Walia lost his father - an inspector - Tarloachan Singh Walia in 1996, he says even though he was enlisted for a job as an ASI despite struggle, he failed to bag the job. Then in Kapurthala, Walia says, “I was in plus two. The home had to be run, so I started a business - car workshop named after my father.”

As business flourished, Walia eventually shifted to Jalandhar in 2003. Today he owns a car bazaar in the Adarsh Nagar area.

“My father was an inspector. I struggled for a job and saw hard days. As a policeman’s son, the eradication of drugs from the area is one of my prime motives. At Salarpur-Daulutpur-Alipur villages that we recently visited, very poor, elderly women looked at me with hope. There were homes where people have to flush out sewerage accumulated on roads with buckets. I intend to work to eradicate their poverty and pain. That is the prime aim.”

Himself quiet a controversy’s baby, Walia has been facing rebellion ever since the AAP declared his name from Cantt, angering half dozen ticket hopefuls – three of whom have already switched parties. Surrounded by some serious charges, despite two visits by Punjab party affairs in charge Sanjay Singh and a public apology to former Hockey India Captain Rajbir Kaur from Walia, many party leaders still chose to part from the AAP post Walia’s candidature.

While Rajbir Kaur threatened a legal action and went on to join SAD along with academician Dr Jasvir Kaur Gill; Narinder Chawla – who made ticket buying charges against Walia, sided with Chhotepur’s APP. While veteran journalist Major Singh, former NRI Sabha Chairman Jasvir Gill, among others, lie low ever since Walia’s candidature, Hockey Olympian Jagdeep Gill and activist Inderjit Bhalla, however, were seen at Sanjay Singh’s traders’ address today.

Commenting on the scenario, Walia says, “It’s true, despite my intentions, some have been hurt due to me or my words. I also publicly apologised to Rajbir Kaur who is like my elder sister. I touched her feet and tendered a formal apology because she said she was hurt. I have high hopes in my campaign and shall prove my intentions towards my people of the constituency,” he says.

Speaking on charges against him, he says, “I have made every possible effort I could to pacify the dissidents in the constituency. I have always denied them and maintain that the charges against me are false. However, people of the area are giving me a very enthusiastic response. I hope my work shall speak for itself in the coming days.”

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Party: AAP

Education – BA I

Constituency: Jalandhar Cantt

Voters: 1,76,000

Focus: Not allowing Jamsher Plant to be built, eradication of drugs business in 60 days, ensuring transportation etc.

Poll record: Nil