When you feel yehi hai right choice, press beep button

It’s good to see that the Congress has shown faith in its senior leader and four times Member of Parliament (MP) Pawan Kumar Bansal by giving him the ticket to fight for a fifth term from the Chandigarh constituency. Also the sitting MP, Kiron Kher, needs to finish the already started projects during her five year tenure. Change is always for the better. So, the people of Chandigarh will expect clean and better administration from the new incumbent. The new MP has to give top priority to the deteriorating law and order situation in the city. The police set-up needs to be revamped and made accountable so people’s confidence is restored in the administration. Serious thought needs to be given to re-structure the road network, make a long-term plan for removal of roundabouts and construction of flyovers and provide good public transport to decongest the traffic.  Attention must be given to the 24x7 supply of water and electricity. The new incumbent needs to push the Centre to make the airport commercially viable for the airlines so that more domestic and international flights are connected with the city. 

Sanjay Chopra

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Vote for locals, not for film stars

Before exercising their right, voters must check details of the party for whose candidate they will vote. If the party is involved in criminal and communal activities then it’s a big no. People must vote for the candidate who is not arrogant, approachable, workaholic, not a film star and a local. The candidate should be a  social servant who will develop the city and solve the problems of its residents rather than who jumped into the fray to amass wealth. An educated voter will weigh all pros and cons before casting his/her vote. Sadly, there are some, who for vested interests, vote for the wrong candidate.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon

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Must check past record of candidates

The choice of candidates for representing the city is limited as it is the prerogative of political parties. However, city residents are quite astute and intelligent and will not be inveigled by pre-election promises. Instead, they will analyse previous record of candidates, their ability to fulfil promises and expectations of citizens and the track record of parties and their leadership before using the right to suffrage. Voters must prefer a candidate, who understands the city’s problems and has vision and capacity to solve issues. An incumbent, who can get more development projects sanctioned from Central leadership, must get priority. Personal character of the candidate, whether he/she is involved in any scam previously, also matters. Credibility of the candidate among the public is also important.

Deepak Mehra

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Don’t get flattered by promises of politicians

We must vote for the candidate, who is known for his social work and regularly visits his/her constituency to know people’s problems and takes them up with the authorities concerned in order to solve them. We should not be taken in by politicians, who promise moon and indulge in ‘jumlebaji’. Voters know who is a perfect candidate.

Rajkumar Kapoor

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New incumbent must bring more funds 

The first and foremost thing which the people will like to have in their Member of Parliament (MP), is that he is a local and easily approachable. An MP gets ticket through party and is responsible for pursuing its agenda. The people may have different agenda in their mind, which they would like their new MP to fulfil.  The MP must get more funds in the next Budget to build better education, health and other infrastructure in the city. The employment generation should top his/her agenda for stopping youth from migrating abroad or taking to drugs and crime. He/she must improve condition of government schools, hospitals and buildings, which is deplorable. The MP amends party’s manifesto so that it can be implemented and benefit the city residents. The new incumbent must have the capability to ask questions in the Lok Sabha and bring resolutions for uplifting his/her constituency. 

Wg Cdr (retd) Jasbir Singh Minhas

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All three contestants have drawbacks

There is lot of mudslinging going on among the three main contestants from the city during campaigning. What matters is the performance and capability of each candidate to deliver on many burning issues, which have dented the image of 

our City Beautiful and adversely affected the life of those living here. Rising pollution levels, considerable loss of green cover, unhygienic conditions, traffic hassles, rising crime rate, security of women and deterioration in the basic civic amenities are all waiting to be tackled by the new MP. The sitting MP, despite being a nominee of the party, which runs government at the Centre, has not been able to do enough in her constituency. On the other hand, her resistance in getting Metro to ease the traffic problem just for political reasons dampens her electoral prospects. The Congress candidate has a result-oriented approach and past experience, but may not have enough clout at the Central level to push things in the right direction. AAP candidate, a city-based old horse, has the feel of each plaguing issue, but again his image of a party hopper will be a dampener as he may not have his say to get the things done for the betterment of the city. 

SC Luthra

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Tried & tested candidates are contesting again

People have no choice in Chandigarh. Although Pawan Bansal, the Congress candidate has a monopoly on this seat, there are many allegations of corruption against him in the previous government. There is hardly any political party left, which Harmohan Dhawan, the AAP candidate, has not joined and left for his selfish motives. He is the promoter and protector of slums, which have blackened the face of City Beautiful just for votes. Kirron Kher is the sitting MP. She was more concerned about her profession and hardly did anything for the city during her tenure.  Whosoever is elected as the city MP must make himself/herself accountable to the people. The law and order situation, rise in crime against women, cleanliness ranking, environment pollution, faulty garbage disposal plant and parking problem need attention. Airport must be fully functional. The Metro project must be approved, which the BJP MP, Kirron Kher, has been opposing. 

Capt (retd) Amar Jeet Kumar 

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Lot committed, but barely fulfilled by candidates

The development of the City Beautiful and solutions to residents’ problems is the only consideration in the minds of voters. A lot is propagated and committed by candidates from different parties during election campaigns, but very little is done after being elected. Underpasses and flyovers to ease the flow of traffic, streamlining vehicle parking and reliable local means of transportation like Metro/mono rail will benefit the city. Cleanliness in the city needs attention. Dustbins in market places and children parks are not emptied regularly. Water scarcity is a serious problem in some parts of the city, especially, in southern sectors. Chandigarh is City Beautiful and to maintain its status at No.1 in cleanliness in the country all necessary steps must be taken. Garbage processing plants should be maintained for an uninterrupted operation. Stray dogs in streets have become a headache.

OP Longia

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MP should be available 24 hours

The first and foremost consideration while voting for an MP is his/her availability in the city. He should be available for voters round-the-clock to listen to their grievances of residents and find solution. Once a candidate wins, he/she vanishes from his constituency thereby ditching the people, who voted for him. The MP must take up people’s problems in the parliament. The MP should be educated enough. He/she must have a deep knowledge about hardships faced by the people. To spend maximum amount allotted in the MP quota is also vital. The chosen representative should work for the overall development of his constituency.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

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Keep in mind behaviour of candidates 

Elections aren’t just about pressing the button of a voting machine. It’s about choosing one person to work for our development. The people must keep in mind behaviour and criminal record of the candidates. Often candidates make big promises just to entice voters, but the latter must ensure that these are genuine and can be fulfilled. 

Prachi Utreja

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Use MPLAD funds without any bias

Voters feel disappointed when the MP after being elected forgets to fulfil promises as per his/her party’s election manifesto. After being elected on a party ticket or as an independent, the top priority of an MP is to fulfil what he/she promised during his/her campaign or otherwise by drawing a road map for implementation the manifesto without any bias for getting funds allocated from the state/Centre governments. Even funds allotted under the MPLAD scheme should be utilised on development works in the MP’s constituency without any political partiality so that residents are benefited irrespective of their affiliation to any party.

AS Ahuja

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MP must concentrate on development

The main priorities of the elected representative after the elections should be the prosperity, development and welfare schemes for undeveloped sectors/villages in south Chandigarh and Panchkula. Residents of these sectors/villages in Chandigarh and Panchkula pay house tax, GST and income tax, besides additional fee for delayed construction without any benefit of proper civic amenities. Lack of markets/shopping complexes and apni mandis inconveniences residents as they have to travel quite a distance to buy items even of daily needs, besides medicines. Besides wastage of valuable time, fuel and money it creates unnecessary congestion, pollution and parking issues. Facilities of bank ATMs, transport, police posts, e-Sampark centres and post offices are available in all rehabilitation colonies developed by the Housing Boards of Chandigarh and Haryana, but elude southern parts of the UT and Panchkula. 

Jai Goel

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Welfare work done by aspirants counts

Different dates for voting in the tricity don’t matter. What matters is that residents of the tricity have to elect their representative for the Lok Sabha, whose tenure will be of five years. So, before making a choice for your candidate, amongst other contestants, one must be fully aware of their previous political record such as popularity and interaction with residents of his/her constituency after winning previous election(s), if any, besides welfare work done by him/her. Our criteria for choosing the MP should be, as if, we were to vote for ourselves. Ensure that each voter exercises his/her right to franchise as every vote has its value. 

Balbir Singh Batra 

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MP’s focus must be on overall development

It’s generally observed that area/sector wise amenities like proper roads, electricity, educational institutions and adequate parking space in markets prevail on majority of people’s minds while voting. There are a few people, who think of overall development of the city. Provision of Metro in the tricity, more flights from the Chandigarh International Airport, best medical and education facilities for residents must be top priority of all aspirants in Lok Sabha poll. There may be some people, who are tempted for petty personal considerations, which is not fair. Betterment of road transport infrastructure, expediting of pending flyover projects like the Tribune flyover, measures to reduce pollution, ending corruption, check on adulteration and installation of the CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas for tackling crime must be taken up by the future MPs in tricity.

Rajender Kumar Garg

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Vote for genuine candidate only

India is a democratic country, whose citizens elect candidates for the Indian parliament and state Assemblies. These candidates run the parliament. They take genuine decisions for welfare of the people as well country. It’s the duty of voters that they should cast their vote for an honest, hardworking, capable and daring candidate, who can understand problems of the people. They can face every type of internal and external problems and solve them bravery. Voters should exercise their right without taking bribe or being selfish. All citizens should participate in the polling process. As time has changed, civilised and educated voters must vote for genuine candidate for the development of the country.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar

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Promise to promote region like NCR

The three candidates in the tricity will have to face many challenges. There are a number of common issues to be solved, including effective law and order to control exceeding crime, safety of women, environment pollution, smooth running of traffic, upgrading infrastructure and other basic amenities like water and electricity, parking space in residential and commercial areas, medical and education services and business-friendly atmosphere. These candidates should promise to promote the formation of State Capital Region of Tricity (SCR) similar to National Capital Region (NCR) around Delhi. Tough and old building bylaws and clause of heavy penalties in Chandigarh have irked residents. Candidates must settle need-based issues related to residents, traders and industry and provide facilities of higher education and employment in the tricity.

Sukhpal Singh 

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Restore old charm of Chandigarh

People of the tricity, while voting for a candidate, should look up to the individual and not his/her party. He/she should be the one, who can rise above petty politics and meet aspirations of the people. A candidate should also be a person of character and true to his words. In short, the MP elected should bring pride to the ‘Smart City’ by his/her stature and commitment. He should breathe Chandigarh. The priorities of the new MP should be to restore the old charm of Chandigarh, well managed traffic, adequate parking lots, good health and education facilities, housing for the slum dwellers, and a safe and healthy environment for its residents, particularly young women. To achieve that, he/she has to be a team man, and make the UT Administration, including the MC, deliver on the laid down priorities. It has to be an iron fist in velvet glove. 

Colonel (retd) RD Singh 

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Must be able to feel residents’ pulse

The foremost responsibility of the modern voter while exercising his/her right should be to focus on the realistic development projects and viable economic schemes as per manifesto during the impending tenure of the elected representatives of the tricity. The prospective candidate should be educated enough to minutely feel the pulse of his/her constituency and provide optimum solution to the satisfaction of the people. The candidate so elected should be sincere to start new projects and accomplish previous running public works. Sufficient funds may be arranged by the new incumbent for major projects and economic development schemes. Priority should be given to public health schemes, improvement in drinking water supply, uninterrupted power, solution to traffic congestion and modern mechanism for lifting and disposal of solid waste. 

Bhupinder S Sealopal

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Work on health, education, employment

The new MP must work for health, education and employment. A lot of improvement is needed in healthcare in the tricity. Civil dispensaries are always found wanting in terms of facilities, be it sanitation, medicines, space or doctors. Dispensaries must be fully equipped and have adequate staff and medicines so that patients do not visit the PGI or GMSH-16/GMCH-32 for primary or secondary treatment. Specialised career-oriented courses, which attract companies and provide youth with job opportunities must be started. The city is not in pace with its talent pool. In search of jobs, a lot of skilled workforce has to venture out of the city to work in MNCs in different cities. 

Many people go abroad in search of job, which is in sync with their educational qualification. In order to utilise its own talent, the city needs MNCs and industries, which provide employment to skilled youth. 

Dr Shruti K Chawla

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Focus must be on good governance

The new MP elect should work towards getting the Smart City tag for Chandigarh. Deteriorating law and order situation, making common man’s life simple, easier, instil a sense of security, good governance with effective and efficient redressal system should be one of his/her priority. Pollution free city, effective transport management to reduce accidents, better healthcare services, efficient air connectivity and thrust on the MSME for more jobs are other areas that need to be looked into by the new incumbent. Other expectations from the MP elect will be peaceful coexistence amongst residents, healthy life style, more infrastructure, e-governance and people centric administration. 

Dr Rajeev Kumar

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An MP must either perform or perish

The notion that an MP belongs to this or that party should be renounced as they belong to India. During the last 70 years, MPs have been able to divide and rule. People vote for a familiar face. Rather a voter should know a candidate by his/her work, timely action, integrity. The new MP has to lead by example and ensure that people of the area are educated so that problems being faced by them are resolved considering future basic needs, population, employment, change in environment, infrastructure and most importantly equality of gender. It’s time to preach self instead of teaching the world. Furthermore, law makers are law breakers most of the time.

Public servants mean people’s servants and they must behave like one. In a nutshell, the MP should either perform or perish. 

In case of failure, they should not be allowed to go scot-free. 

Sunjoy Kapila

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Ensure government is not just for taxation

People’s considerations while voting for MPs in tricity should be the incumbent’s education, clean image, foresightedness, dedication, keenness towards serving humanity and evaluation of previous term’s performance in case of repeaters. On priorities, MPs must endeavour to provide basics of life like water, electricity, food, education, employment,  his/her convenient accessibility to voters, refining police role, which remain a slogan so far.  

Citizens need to be convinced that the government is not merely for taxation. 

MPS Chadha

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MPs of UT, Mohali, P’kula should work in tandem

Tricity has a huge potential for development like twin cities of Hyderabad. However, differences between political parties and divide and rule policy by the Centre for political gains has stalled the development of Chandigarh during the last 50 years. Settling migrants for vote bank without creating employment opportunities has remained a priority for MPs. False promises have fooled Chandigarh residents. The growing urban character of the tricity requires immediate solution to aspirations of residents and future generations. Voters should elect their MPs, who have vision and capability to put Chandigarh on priority. The elected MPs of Chandigarh, Mohali/Anandpur Sahib and Panchkula, irrespective of party affiliation, should come together and raise issues in the parliament to put the tricity on fast track. Immediate issues are strengthening the public transport, metro/mono rail/skybus, fully operational international airport, IT parks, tricity ring road, quality healthcare and education.  This would help attract investments in the tricity, give boost to the economic growth in the region and generate revenue and jobs. 

Balbir Singh

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Choose a person of high integrity

In the coming parliamentary elections, Panchkula goes to poll on May 12 while voting will be held in Chandigarh and Mohali on May 19.  This opportunity comes once in five years. Much is desired to be done for the tricity. The burning issues are shortage of water, sanitation, parking and the menace of stray cattle and dogs. The plight of government schools and health centres is equally pitiable. Illegal mining, encroachments and ingress of migrants need to be curbed. Therefore, the need to choose and elect a candidate, who is of high integrity, has good past performance, blemish less record and easily accessible to society. He/she should be able to raise the public issues in the parliament and forcefully support the need for the infrastructure for the economic development and creating job opportunities. It becomes a constitutional obligation for voters to exercise their franchise irrespective of candidate’s party.   

SS Arora

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Tricity MPs must have one agenda

All the three MPs of the tricity should have a common agenda of providing Metro. Any mode of transport occupying space over ground is not acceptable to residents. Chandigarh has limited land at its disposal. So RITES proposed an underground Metro in Chandigarh and elevated in the Panchkula and Mohali areas. Other priorities are water, affordable healthcare, sanitation, commuter friendly roads, safety of women, education, upkeep of existing infrastructure, housing for the poor and middle class. Most importantly all the three areas should have their own solid waste management plants of bigger capacities.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma 

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Good education, vision must for candidate

India is the biggest democracy in the world. A research poll showed that 79% of Indians are satisfied with our democracy as system.  With elections round the corner in the tricity our politicians use any event in opponent bashing and self praising.  Politicians exploit psychology of the crowd. As this is a parliamentary election we have to cast our vote for the next government at the Centre. Only those candidates should be considered, who can play an important role in country’s development, have good education and vision. Enrolment of new voters has boosted the exercise. Poll fever has gripped the tricity. Know value of your vote. Cast it and ask others too. 

Vidya Sagar Garg 

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QUESTION  

Upset over failure in Class XII, a teenager ended his life by jumping into Sukhna Lake the day the CBSE announced the results. Incidents like this are often reported from across the country. Are we putting our children under undue stress to perform in examinations? Are the marks obtained in the examinations the only criteria for success in life?

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