Gurdaspur Diary: An Open letter to former Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar

Sir, after much introspection we, the residents of Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency, have finally decided to tender an apology to you. In the 2019 General Elections, we indeed committed the grievous mistake of voting out a statesman and voting in an actor. The truth, actually the whole truth, is that we got blinded by the bright lights of Bollywood. Such are the exigencies of electoral politics in our country that in the final analysis only numbers matter. The BJP needed a number and it got one in the form of one Mr Ajay Singh Dharmendra Deol a.k.a Sunny Deol. Ever since he was elected, nurturing the constituency has been his least concern. People often ‘sight’ him in newspapers and magazines but his presence in the constituency, which elected him by 70,000 votes, is simply not there. Sir, as an MP you had a tenure of barely 18 months but we still remember what you did for your constituents. In backward Bhoa, you built half a dozen bridges over rivulets that criss-cross the area making commuting easier than before. The strategically important Talwara Jattan bridge too, was conceptualised, planned and executed by you. The Batala municipal committee was upgraded into a full-fledged corporation and with it some extra funds started flowing. With this money a major infrastructural push was given to Batala town. We also remember how you tried to revive the sick Dhariwal Woolen Mills. We still follow you wherever you go and keep a tab on whatever you do. Recently, we heard you had 42 MLAs on your side but still you were sidelined when it came to deciding the Chief Ministership of Punjab. Your case showed us that an ancient civilisation like ours, instead of veering around to modernity, is still divided on the basis of caste, colour and creed. Never mind the fact that you are an upper class Hindu, yet this very reality became your undoing. This was totally illogical, irrational and uncalled for. Your High Command failed to see your ability, capability and caliber. Instead it saw your caste. This was absolutely shameful, to say the least. In other words, when we choose a mobile network, do we check whether Airtel or Vodafone belong to a particular caste? No, we simply select the provider based on the best value and services. But then not much can be said for a country which uses ‘kundli’ software in a computer to decide a person’s fate! Sir, people still remember you for getting the traffic problem of Gurdaspur solved by shifting the bus stand to the city’s outskirts. You also made efforts to get the 3.6-km narrow gauge track running in the municipal limits of Pathankot elevated which would have eased the traffic congestion in the city. It is another matter that the problem is too complex to be solved! The job spinning Pepsi plant in Pathankot was also brought in due to your hard work. Last but not the least, we profusely thank you for introducing Pallavi Thakur, Punjab youngest woman sarpanch, to the audience during Rahul Gandhi’s Gurdaspur rally. It is a well known fact that PM Narendra Modi called her and offered his congratulations when she was elected as the head woman of her village. But what is not known is that minutes before the PM’s call, Thakur received yet another call this time from officials in the PMO asking her not to put any questions-convenient or inconvenient-to the PM. Like his original ‘Maan Ki Baat’ this too turned out to be a one-sided affair. Sir, your visit to your old constituency is long overdue. And remember, 2024 is not far away. Once bitten, twice shy. Rest assured, this time a statesman will be sent to the Parliament.

PM Modi rekindles old friendships

In Pathankot, PM Modi rekindled old friendships. Dr Samrendra Sharma is an old BJP hand and these days is the spin doctor of the party candidate and Punjab unit chief Ashwani Sharma. He is the one who builds the day’s narrative for Sharma. The other day, minutes after the PM’s rally, he was taken aback with surprise when Modi asked him, “Kaise ho professor?” The erudite Sharma was quick to gather his wits and replied, “Aap ke aashirvad se bilkul theek hun”. Sharma was the one who handled all the four campaigns of film star Vinod Khanna during his tenure as MP from 1998 till 2009 and 2014 till 2016. He proudly says that the PM recognised him despite the fact he was wearing a mask. It is pertinent to mention here that the PM in his address had remarked, “Yahan kuch purane chhere hain jin ko main pehchanta hun.” (there are some old faces here whom I recognise). It is pertinent to mention here that Modi used to be a regular visitor to the city when he was in charge of the BJP in Punjab, Haryana and J&K. It was at the time that Samrendra and Modi struck a friendship. “Happiness is meeting an old friend and realising that nothing has changed,” quipped the doctor.

Yours faithfully Vox-Populi Police conductflag marches

Ahead of the Assembly polls, police personnel in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Batala are taking nothing to chance. The other day Gurdaspur SSP Nanak Singh led a flag-march through the thoroughfares of the city in an attempt to instill a sense of confidence among residents. The CRPF and BSF are also out in full strength. Likewise, Batala SSP Gaurav Toora and his Pathankot counterpart Surendra Lamba are also regularly holding such “confidence-inspiring drills.” Little wonder that people are betting that nothing untoward will happen on D-day.

(Contributed by Ravi Dhaliwal)

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