‘Will ensure all-round development’

After winning the Patiala parliamentary seat with considerable margin, senior Congress leader Preneet Kaur says her primary duty is to ensure that Patiala ranks top in the clean cities index. Talking to The Tribune reporter Aman Sood, she spells out her priorities.

What is your agenda for your constituency after such a big win?

Development is on the top. Patiala was totally neglected by the SAD-BJP during their 10-year regime. The incumbent state government is trying to revive development works in this region, despite financial crunch. Several projects have already been announced such as Industrial Park in Rajpura and Quark City in Ghanaur. I will get these expedited and ensure their early completion. I will also ensure that sufficient job opportunities are available to the youth. 

Before polls, you promised interest-free loans for studying abroad. Can that be implemented now when the party failed to form government at the Centre?

Yes. It was a promise by the party. Though the Congress has not been able to form the government, I would like to assure the students that we will fight for their cause in Parliament and take up the matter with the NDA government. I am sure they will look at this favourably as students across the country will be benefitted. 

What according to you needs immediate attention in the constituency?  

Water and sewerage are the biggest problems. Work on addressing these issues has already started in the right earnest. The state government is seized of the matter. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has already laid stones of three projects to supply canal water to 409 villages. He had also inaugurated a sewerage project for a cluster of 10 villages near Bahadurgarh, where excess fluoride was detected. More projects are in the pipeline and I shall personally take these up with the state and Central governments. 

You think some leaders from within Congress worked against the party? 

Not in my constituency. I had the support of every Congress leader here, which is reflected in the huge victory margin. If there are such issues in other constituencies, I am sure that Captain sahib will take that up with the party high command. 

What do you think about the recent statements given by Cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu and his wife?

Unfortunately, they chose the wrong place and time to air their grievances. They should have taken up the matter with the party leadership and preferably after the polls. Speaking publicly about their real or perceived grievances and airing their opinion in public in the middle of the elections was really not the right thing to do. It was highly irresponsible on their part to say the least.

Whom do you credit with the party’s good performance in the state? 

The Congress government's policies and programmes, including farm loan waiver, carried out in the last two years made it possible. The connect we made with the people and the hard work and commitment of every Congress worker together worked for the Congress in the state.

How do you propose to implement the development agenda?  

Besides working closely with the state government to expedite the pace of development here, I will take up the matter in Parliament. The fiscal crisis in the state is proving to be a serious obstacle, but the government is committed to ensuring Patiala's all-round development and funds have been allocated or in the process of being allocated for many projects.