‘My humble background made me industrious’

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 12

Teacher-turned-excise officer-turned politician Harbhajan Singh has dabbled in politics for the first time. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded him from his native Jandiala Assembly constituency.

After hardly serving for four years in the PCS allied service in the Excise and Taxation Department he tendered his resignation to join politics. When asked the reason he effortlessly blurted out, “My humble background and deep desire to overcome it instilled a sense of industriousness. However, this vicissitude was restricted to me and my family”.

“I wished to do the same for society and this could only be possible with the legislative power”, he said.

After serving for 16 years he had taken premature retirement as a lecturer of political science from the Government Senior Secondary School, Jandiala Guru, where he had once received his education. So, he certainly has a theoretical knowledge of politics and its various theories. Now, the time has come to practically implement it.

He has identified major concerns and problems shared by the electorate during his one-and-half-month long campaigning. These are rampant spread of drugs, under development, once elected MLAs turning back from the constituency, menace of petty crimes like snatching of purses, gold chains, registration of fake FIRs, poverty and dearth of staff in schools and clinics.

When asked “Do you have any plan to redress these grievances and problems?” His reply was affirmative.

“AAP promises to provide clean government to people. Education, health and basic amenities will form the nucleus of its government policy”, he said.

He added that non-interference of politicians in the Police Department was the main point of stress in speeches of senior AAP leaders. Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh have also campaigned in his favour. Harbhajan is canvassing in his constituency through door-to-door campaign, small meetings, road shows and rallies.