From 'fuffad' to fugitive: The downturn of AAP MLA Pathanmajra

Till three days ago, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra was enjoying the proverbial tag of “fuffad”, due to his connections with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife.

He wielded considerable influence in the corridors of power and carried the aura of a “Bahubali Neta” — a strongman politician in the ruling government.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, he now stands reduced from a powerful party MLA to a rape accused who escaped police custody like a gangster — injuring a cop and firing in the air, says a resident of Sanaur constituency, represented by Pathanmajra.

In the backdrop of the controversy, the dilapidated condition of the constituency has also grabbed everyone’s attention.

With Ghaggar in spate, residents of the Sanaur constituency are daily battling fears of flood. The crumbling infrastructure and neglect of the area have only increased their troubles.

The irony is striking: roads leading to his native village — from Devigarh, Gharam and Bhuner Heri — lie in a ramshackle state, while basic amenities remain missing. At Devigarh bridge, Ranjit Singh, a local resident, having lost all hope from the government, was filling the pothole with gravel to ease the bumpy ride of the commuters.

Residents voice mixed reactions

Residents expressed mixed views about their MLA. While some accused him of shifting blame onto the government to cover up his failure in ensuring development, others said he was being targeted for speaking against his own party and the strong bureaucracy.

Locals accused the MLA of indulging in sand mining and land encroachment while enjoying the backing of the government. “Sensing anger among people, he tried to shift the blame. He spoke against his own government and the bureaucracy for not letting him work. But the ploy backfired. People in the area knew that he was facing an FIR in a rape case. He tried to give political colour to the issue of floods which have not caused significant damage so far,” said a resident.

Not everyone, however, was critical. Gurbhej Singh from Bhasmara village said Pathanmajra had stood up for the people. “He is paying the price for speaking against the government. Had desilting and de-weeding of the river been done on time, the fields could have been saved from the floods. The swollen Ghaggar has already flooded Jul Heri, Shekhupura and other nearby villages,” he said.

Read: AGTF tasked to arrest Pathanmajra; Punjab govt faces flak over not been able to nab own MLA

Drug crisis fuels criticism

The prevalence of drug addiction is another major issue that the residents of Sanaur complain about. They allege that MLA Pathanmajara had failed completely in plugging the menace. They said that earlier addicts were consuming conventional drugs such as opium and poppy husk, but now addicts are getting hooked to synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical drugs.

From Jul Heri village, Sita Ram recalled that the MLA had visited the area only recently. “For the first time, he highlighted the plight of the residents. But let me tell you honestly, successive governments have done little for our village — whether it is development or flood prevention,” he said.

 Patsa Ram, a BJP worker from Devigarh, pointed to poor civic amenities. “The bridge connecting Devigarh to the town is in a dangerous state. The sewerage system is choked, potable water is a distant dream and residents are living miserably. Pathanmajra has done precious little for the development of the constituency,” he alleged.