A former banker, Phalli wants to eradicate drug menace

Anil Kumar Phalli (60)
Party: AAP
Qualification: A graduate
Constituency: Khanna, which has about 1.67 lakh voters
Poll record: Contesting for the first time
Focus: To curb the menace of drug addiction in Punjab and to provide basic facilities to public

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 9

The priority of Anil Kumar Phalli — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Khanna constituency — is to curb the menace of drug addiction, which is eating the youth in Punjab.

Phalli says: “I have seen the plight of parents, whose innocent wards are deep into drugs. If I come to power, eradication of drugs will be my top priority.”

After serving at a bank for over three decades, he decided to go for a change as he found the existing system “corrupt”. He left his bank job in 2008 and fought the Municipal Council elections as an Independent candidate and won. Phalli had also run a petrol pump and a rolling mill before coming into politics.

“No one is happy with the way the SAD-BJB government ruled Punjab for two consecutive terms. Now, the Congress remains the option, but that, too, failed in impressing me because of various scandals. AAP was the kind of party I was looking for. The party has done excellently in Delhi and masses are witnessing a change. The corrupt systems are no longer there, education system has improved. Hence,” he said.

As far as Khanna constituency is concerned, the masses are yet to get 100 per cent water and sewerage connections- basic amenities. Phalli said over 65 years had gone after independence, but the masses at many places were still living in hell-like conditions sans basic facilities.

“My priority will be to provide basic facilities to public for which they are struggling for long. My focus will be to provide good educational institutions to youngsters, best health facilities to public and total eradication of drugs. After rehabilitation of drug addicts, I want them to get good job opportunities in Punjab. If masses support me, I wish to change the system,” he says.

The day of AAP candidate starts early morning with public meetings, door-to-door campaigns, meetings with party workers. A Hindu by birth, Phalli believes in all religions. “Tarn Taran is my birth place and I believe in Guru Nanak Dev and Lord Shiva,” he said.