‘Mewat my top priority’

Ahirwal stalwart Rao Inderjit Singh has registered a stupendous victory in the Gurgaon constituency and become an MP for the fourth time. This was his third consecutive win from Gurgaon. In an interview with The Tribune reporter Sumedha Sharma, he lays out his vision for the segment.

‘Will continue the good work’

Ahirwal stalwart Rao Inderjit Singh has registered a stupendous victory in the Gurgaon parliamentary constituency and become an MP for the fourth time. This was his third consecutive win from Gurgaon. He defeated his nearest Congress rival Capt Ajay Yadav, a six-time MLA from Rewari, by a margin of 3,86,256 votes. A Congressman for decades, Rao Inderjit switched loyalties to the BJP months before the 2014 General Election. He got a lead in all Assembly segments of the Gurgaon constituency, but Mewat. But he is unperturbed. He is confident of turning the tide the next time on the back of his performance. In an interview with The Tribune reporter Sumedha Sharma, he lays out his vision for the segment.

Q: Several pre-election reports did the rounds that people were unhappy about your alleged absence from the constituency. Did you expect an overwhelming support?

A: Absolutely! I spent every day of the past five years, working hard to get my constituency its due. No doubt, there were widespread rumours about my absence. That was opposition’s propaganda. People of my segment knew the reality. They knew what they got during my tenure. Infrastructural projects such as railway underpasses and Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway were completed. Besides, the long pending Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was constituted. Projects not even part of my election promises were also delivered. I have had a clean political image for the past four decades. I knew people will vote on the basis of my performance, besides the performance of the Centre led by Modiji.

Q: What will be your priorities?

To start from where we paused. Three projects on my priority list are AIIMS in Rewari’s Manethi village, Regional Rapid Transport System from Delhi to Alwar and expansion of Metro to old Gurugram. Mewat canal, rail connectivity to Mewat, and beautification and revival of Kotla Lake are other projects on my list.

Q: You got a lead from all Assembly segments, but Mewat, which chose the Congress over you. How do you react?

A: The BJP has registered a tremendous increase in the number of votes. As for Mewat, it tops my priority list. I got a backward district status for it, resulting into allocation of funds for its development. Several projects such as the Mumbai-New Delhi expressway, irrigation channels and better health services are in the stage of construction. I am sure the district will develop in the next five years and the mandate will be in BJP’s favour the next time.

Q: What will be the major challenge for you?

A: To be frank, none. I would say I have a responsibility towards people of my constituency, to deliver what is expected of me. They have reposed faith in me. I have always stood by my people and will continue to do so.

QUOTE

I have a responsibility towards people of my constituency, to deliver what is expected of me. They have reposed faith in me. I have always stood by my people and will continue to do so.