I'm not arrogant, I raise my voice to highlight issues

Congress candidate for the Ludhiana West byelections, Bharat Bhushan Ashu is back with a bang.

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In an interview with Principal Correspondent Shivani Bhakoo, he shares everything from cases registered against him to his “arrogant” nature.

n How important is this election for you?

The election is important not only for me but also for people. They are still wondering what they did in 2022 by electing this government. More than the people of Ludhiana West, people of the state are looking forward to this election. They want to convey a message to the government to mend its ways. Since governments can’t be changed before five years, people want to send a message through the bypoll and they will.

n For the past three years, it has been a roller coaster ride for you, facing serious allegations and now you are contesting so confidently. What is the reason behind this confidence?

During the past three years an atmosphere of lies was created by the state government and its sponsored media that probably there was no bigger thug than me. I was subjected to a harsh media trial. Me and my family faced insults, humiliation and harassment. I had to go to jail twice and was slapped with FIRs. But I am thankful to the judiciary and God who have been kind. I was not only bailed out but FIRs were quashed. My honour and respect were redeemed and restored. It is a great moral victory for me that my opponents may claim that I am short tempered or arrogant but they cannot say I am corrupt. Now, I am seeking justice in the people’s court.

n Why do people say that once in power, Ashu becomes arrogant?

There is seething anger among people against the government. They want their representatives to articulate their anger. During most of my political career, whether as a councillor or an MLA, I have remained in the opposition only, except once, and there you have to raise your voice aggressively.

Not just in opposition, even the government does not run with requests and submissions. You have to order things and assert your authority. Mere requests don’t work, only orders do. Moreover, like the same way I have been subjected to media trials since 2022, they have spread this message about my being arrogant. And even when people hit me below the belt, I don’t do that. I never say that fielding Sanjeev Arora from here is a part of a trade off, which not only people in the city and the state know but the entire country also.

n What changed all of a sudden that from reports of infighting, Cong managed to present a united face?

It is strange that instead of the government, people are questioning the opposition. For the past one month, AAP state president Aman Arora never campaigned for Sanjeev Arora. BJP state president Jakhar Sahab did not attend any party programme, and still nobody questioned them. The fact is that my PCC president was with me on Thursday and even today till 11 am, before he left for Pathankot for the ‘Jai Hind’ rally in support of our defence forces.