My joint family is my biggest support, says Aujla

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 21

Living in a joint family has its own benefits and who knows better than Gurjit Aujla, Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar.

While he has a vast area of the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency (comprising nine Assembly constituencies) to cover for canvassing, his family members are a perfect support for him.

His younger brother Sukhjinder Singh, popularly known as Sukha Aujla, manages his campaigns while his better half Undleep and two children, daughter Nighat Aujla and son Baabar Singh Aujla, has taken over the command of his door-to-door campaigning. His mother-in-law Jagir Kaur Boparai, who herself was a Communist leader and a good speaker, was also campaigning for him. Not only this, his NRI friends, around 40-50 in number, have also arrived to support and help him in canvassing.

“Aujla has worked hard in his political career and we want him to succeed not only for himself but for those people who had loved and showed faith in him. As the president of the District Congress Committee (rural), he worked for people and raised issues concerning residents living in the rural and border belts,” said Undleep, who runs a coaching centre.

“I want my father to make this holy city an education hub by opening more and more government schools and colleges, especially in the rural belt, so that the youth could get more opportunities and plan their future in a better way rather than ruining their lives to drug abuse,” said his daughter Nighat Kaur, an undergraduate student.

The day starts at 7 am for Gurjit Aujla as he meets people gathered at his house to extend his support and at 9 am he leaves home for his election meetings and campaigns in various parts of the city.

“My family is my support. I have a joint family and this has helped me a lot,” Aujla said while leaving for his campaign.

Aujla’s father Sarabjit Singh reaches his election office in the morning where he attends people, besides managing his expenditure during the campaigns. The family then meets in the night to share their experience and plan for the next day.