Retired Judge Jora Singh now being ‘judged’ by people

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 14

The man who has given judgments on many important issues is now being judged by people of the Jalandhar constituency. He is now standing in the ‘Janta ki adalat’. Today, Justice Jora Singh (retd) started a road show in Nakodar. Having a polite and a simple demeanour, he did manage to garner praises from people around. One thing that was made clear during the campaign of Jora Singh was that more than the party itself, it is his image that has been a topic of discussion among voters.

Though the road show was not a big one as of other candidates in the district, but the good image of the judge has definitely made people paying attention to him in the area.

More than the party, people seemed to be in praise for him. However, it is a tough road for him as compared to other party candidates.

Donning a white kurta-pyjama and wearing a lemon coloured turban and having a gentle smile, Jora Singh (69), along with his supporters, was waving to people from his open jeep to make a connection with them. The convoy covered the Guru Nanak Pura area, old Sabzi Mandi and main market of Nakodar.

Jora Singh was accompanied by Jagtar Singh Sanghera, halka in-charge of Nakodar and AAP state secretary. While he was showing his presence by giving a smile to people during the roadshow, it was Sanghera who was making sure that the hand-waving exercise doesn’t stop and he continued it with full energy.

Not 2014-like wave, but party still has hopes

Party workers were seen distributing the manifesto and pamphlets among people in markets and residents of Guru Nanak Pura. When The Tribune interacted with residents to know their mood and their opinion on AAP, which had a wave in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, both negative and positive response was received.

While some said people had no hope from the party as two chances were already given in 2014 and 2017 but every other leader were either ousted from the party or left it due to lack of coordination among party men, others said though not much, the AAP was still in the minds of people as they want that both major old parties must get eliminated.

A sweetmeat seller in Nakodar said there was no AAP wave in these elections.

“We had voted for the party twice, but what did they do, nothing. They have been fighting among themselves. Now, there is no hope from the party,” he said.

However, Prem Lal, who is in his early 70s and runs a small kiosk by the roadside, was in full praise for the party. He said: “Justice Jora Singh ji change bande ne. Party de supporters hale vi hai, eh na socho ki eh party bilkul hi khatam ho gayi, edda di koi gal nahi hai”(Justice Jora is a good man. There are still many supporters of the AAP and don’t think that the party has finished.)

A woman who came to the kiosk to buy something said youngsters staying abroad still have a craze for the party.

“My two nephews live in England and they especially called me up to say I must vote for the AAP. Working at DAV College, the woman said the party was still an alternative for people, even if it has lost its ‘sparkle’.

A 78-year-old man who was sitting at his shop of utensils said the AAP had lost its plot. Hence, there was no point of the party gaining momentum. But he appreciated the choice of the candidate. “The candidate they have chosen here is a genuine person. People might give votes on his face value,” he said.