Congress plans stir against ‘missing’ MP Vinod Khanna

Ravi Dhaliwal

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Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur/Pathankot, November 6

Gurdaspur Member Parliament (MP) Vinod Khanna’s prolonged absence from his constituency is not only providing enough ammunition to his political rivals but is also irking residents who had voted him.

Congress members are planning to hold protests in three main towns of Khanna’s constituency — Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. “Ever since Khanna was re-elected for the fourth term, he has gone on a privileged leave, salary and all perks included,” said former Congress minister Raman Bhalla.

On August 6, senior Congress leader Kartik Wadhera had organised a “Vinod Khanna missing” protest. A “missing” application was also filed in the Division number 1 police station in Pathankot the same day. Four days later, a miffed Khanna, came to Pathankot in a chartered plane and spent a day. However, ever since then, the MP has not been spotted in the constituency. The MP downplayed his absence by saying he was unwell. “Everybody in the constituency knows that I am recuperating in my Mumbai residence after a bout of illness,” he said.

Due to his “long leave”, the criticism against the MP has reached a crescendo. Earlier, during his three terms, he had earned the appreciation of locals after getting half a dozen bridges constructed on the Ravi, Beas and Ujh rivers. “Now, 18 months into his fourth term, his report card doesn’t have many positive entries,” said Puja Kapur, a Batala resident.

In the run-up to the elections, the MP had promised to solve the biggest problem Pathankot residents were facing — of doing away with the half a dozen railway crossings located within the city’s limits. However, till now, nothing tangible has been achieved. When questioned, the MP said, “I have taken up the issue with Railway Ministry officials who are trying to find out a way.”

Congress leader Anil Vij said one of the pre-election promises by the MP was to make the Pathankot airport fully functional to handle civilian flights. Khanna said, “I am holding talks with the Civil Aviation Ministry.” Residents are not happy with his rhetoric. “In the absence of regular flights to Delhi, we have to endure a 10-hour long train journey. For us, time is money,” averred Atul Gupta, a regular visitor to Delhi.

“Khanna should bring in central funds to ensure that villagers get proper sanitation facilities. He is yet to fulfil on promises he made during the elections,” said Thakur Vikram Singh, a resident of Bamial block.