Officer and a gentleman in Hoshiarpur

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Hoshiarpur, May 2

The Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency (reserved) is all set for a keen contest between BJP’s Som Parkash, a retired Punjab officer, and Congress’ Raj Kumar Chabbewal, both sitting MLAs. Aam Aadmi Party candidate Dr Ravjot Singh seems a distant third while BSP’s Khushi Ram, a retired IAS officer, is yet to make his presence felt. 

A man of principles, Som Parkash reportedly opposed the release of 37 party workers booked for caste violence in April 2018. It was Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla who came to their help, as claimed by him publicly. “I will not allow any goondagardi, even if it is by my own party workers,” Som Parkash declares.

In contrast, a suave Chabbewal is known for his patience. He runs a chain of diagnostic centres where the poor are charged negligible fee. He has earned much goodwill for getting the approval of the state government for three government colleges in Dasuya, Chabbewal and Dholbaha.

Asked about the dwindling presence of party workers at his rallies, Som Parkash explains: “I don’t want any rush of supporters. I want to reach out to smaller gatherings and individual voters  by myself.” But Chabbewal’s meetings are attracting large crowds, with women in significant numbers. He listens to their grievances, his gentle demeanour endearing him to many. 

However, he is finding it hard to explain why the state government hasn’t provided enough jobs or free cellphones to the youth, as was promised. Hoshiarpur having a high literacy rate (85.40 pc), all contestants in the fray are well-educated and are civil, which cannot be said about most national-level leaders. No poster war, big banners or blaring loudspeakers, the campaigning is clean and unobtrusive. 

The seat comprises nine Vidhan Sabha seats with 15.76 lakh registered voters, of which 7.65 lakh are women. The remaining four candidates are Dharmpal of the Nationalist Justice Party, Paramjit Singh of the Samaj Bhalai Party and Independents Tilk Raj and Davinder Singh. Except for Bholath and Phagwara, the Congress has its MLAs in all Vidhan Sabha segments. 

Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik and strong man Tikshan Sud have put their weight behind Som Parkash, who is facing opposition from within the party.  He is banking on the Modi factor to sail through.

AAP’s Dr Ravjot Singh had given a tough competition to  Sham Chaurasi MLA Pawan Adia in the Assembly elections, but the party has now lost its base. PS Sachdeva, a philanthropist  who had helped the party in the Assembly polls, has quit. Yamini Gomar, who polled over two lakh votes, has joined the Congress.

BSP’s Khushi Ram has been tasked with reviving the party in Hoshiarpur. Things, however, are not rosy on the ground. The party’s former state chief Gurlal Saila has joined the Congress, its Phagwara Assembly polls candidate Surinder Dhanda has set up Ambedkar Sena and veteran BS Chauhan is running All-India Atyachar Virodhi Front.

(Inputs by Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi) 

Best Lawyers in Chandigarh High Court