Ex-Mayor set to fight MC poll, begins campaigning

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"I will contest the elections if people want. I want to serve my ward," Former Mayor Jagdish Raja had told The Tribune when his tenure as Mayor ended almost two years ago. Now that the MC elections have been announced that may take place anytime in December, it seems that people of his ward have shown interest in him, a senior Congress leader, 69-year-old Jagdish Raja, is all set to fight the elections as well.

He has remained a five-time councillor and served as Mayor. He feels that as councillor, he managed to do several development works in his ward. "This is my strength. However, I couldn't do much as a Mayor.

"I start meeting people in my ward after 9 in the morning. If they ask me for any help, I am always there. I and my wife have started visiting households. In the last two years since AAP came to the power, no development has been done, I have been telling this to my ward voters. I will ensure that the works that are lying pending in my ward will complete once I become councillor again," he said

According to him, his time as a councillor was better than as a Mayor because of several compulsions. Raja faced opposition from his party councillors too, which, he said, always hurt him.

Raja had earlier given hints that his son may fight for the post of councillor this time. "But, he didn't show any interest. I have been in touch with my ward residents. I am sure I will win," he said.

Another leader Desh Raj Jassal, who had remained a five-time councillor when he was with Congress, quit the party and joined AAP. Asked if he would fight the elections if he would not be given the ticket, he said, "The MC elections vich party nu nai, chehre nu vote paindi hai (Voters don't vote for party, but they vote based whom they trust)," he said, adding that party would give tickets to those, who were deserving after doing a survey, he said.