She is ready to leave her teaching job for people in her area

In the municipal council poll held recently, several new faces have emerged, who will lead the people in their respective areas. Some of them have struggled very hard to make a mark. Jalandhar Tribune catches up with some councillors who are gearing up to serve the masses and stand for their voters for the next 5 years…

Meenu, AAP councillor from Banga

A 45-year-old schoolteacher Meenu from AAP has been elected as the councillor from Ward Number 5 in Banga. She has been teaching for the last 16 years. But now, Meenu has planned to resign from her job as she wants to give all her time to the people of her ward. Originally from Haryana, Meenu has a degree in Nursery Teacher Training (NTT). Meenu said she had never thought of joining politics, but when AAP was formed, she, along with her husband, were highly impressed with the new party. “He wanted me to get associated with a good party. So, it all happened suddenly and I started working as a party worker,” Meenu said. “This was my first experience. I filed the nomination papers, met people, spoke to them regarding various issues and ultimately won. It has been a great time,” she said. “The facilities that are provided by the government do not reach people and this is a major problem. The beneficiaries remain empty-handed and I am going to tackle this issue on a priority. I will learn a lot in this process,” she says. Meenu said when she was meeting people before the elections, she made a promise to them that she would turn round everything for their good in the ward. “I think this is the reason they chose me,” she said.

With his father’s experience in hand, he wants to develop his ward now
Jagjit Singh (48), Cong councillor, Lohian Khas

A mechanic by profession, Jagjit Singh (48) was recently elected as the councillor of Ward Number 6, Lohian Khas Municipal Council. While his father has served as the councillor twice between 2005 and 2015, this is his first shot into politics. As a traditional supporter of the Congress party, he chose to fight on Cong ticket only.He says: “I’m aware of the internal functioning and have seen my father working day and night to initiate development in our ward. However, as the area was always ruled by the Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, it was tough for Independent councillors and Congress councillors to initiate development in their respective wards. This was the first time after 25 years when a Congress committee has formed and now we are hoping that development works would be initiated without any constraints. The anti-incumbency factor led to our win. My main motive of joining politics was to serve people at ground level. I will also be able to give a push to the projects, which my father couldn’t fulfil during his tenure.” As a councillor, his foremost priority is to reduce traffic chaos from his ward and get people rid of choked sewers and unavailability of medicines in government hospitals. Public dealing in making various documents and certificates will also be made fair and clear, he adds. He has also asked residents to approach him directly for any trouble.