‘No Modi wave at ground level, it’s propaganda’

This is an election between a ‘desi person and a VIP’. This time, people have a chance to elect a common man, who will respond to even a missed call, Congress nominee from Kangra Pawan Kajal tells Lalit Mohan 

Are you being considered as a light weight candidate?

I am a ‘desi person’ who is fighting the VIP of the BJP. Kangra parliamentary constituency for the last two terms has been represented by senior BJP leaders who are not available to people. Congress president Rahul Gandhi selected me as party candidate. This time, people have a chance to elect a common man who will respond to even a missed call on my cell phone. I am meeting the people directly rather than organising big rallies. 

Are you facing resource crunch?

My campaign is limited to just to Rs 25 lakh to Rs 40 lakh whereas the BJP is spending crores. I feel that there was no need for big posters, banners and rallies for election campaign. I have fought five elections right from panchayat, zila parishad and Assembly elections and have never lost. 

How you plan to counter Modi wave in Himachal?

There is no Modi wave at the ground level. It is just propaganda by media. The Modi government has faltered on all its promises. He had promised to provide 2 crore jobs for youth in the country. However, over 1 crore youth had lost jobs due to policies of the Modi government. The Made in India campaign has failed and small and medium enterprises have faced closure. 

You hardly got any star campaigners in your constituency?

I don’t need star campaigners. Public is my star campaigner and they are working for me. I will surely win.

Senior congress leaders from Kangra have not been actively campaigning for you?

Most of them are working in their respective areas. The Congress is united and working as a unit.

What are you promising people?

In case I am elected I will work for the youth of Kangra parliamentary constituency. If Rahul Gandhi becomes the PM I shall lobby for bringing a big industrial unit in the region that can give direct and indirect employment to about 25,000 to 30,000 youth of the region.