‘A people person, know problems well’

AFTER achieving stardom as a folk singer, Mohammad Sadiq’s political career has taken off big time after winning the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 83,256 votes. In an interview with The Tribune reporter Balwant Garg, the singer-turned-politician gives an insight into his plan for the constituency.

After being elected as an MLA in 2012, you have now entered Parliament. How do you feel about your journey from being a singer to MLA and now an MP?

Belonging to a poor family, I shot to fame due to my singing. I got so much love from the people that helped me nurture my talent. I got a similar response when I entered politics. Despite having no political background or connections, people elected me as MLA from Bhadaur in 2012. I still don’t know political maneuvering. I am fortunate that people relate to me and they want me to fight for their cause. It feels great. Even in singing, people relate to my songs as I choose lyrics full of emotions and sentiments.  

Has your singing career helped you in understanding the problems people face in their day-to-day life?

Yes and in a big way. Besides, I came from a poor family and thus, I know the issues people face in their daily lives. Even after getting stardom as a singer, my connection with the masses remained intact. It really helped me understand their problems in a better way. I will raise issues confronting people in Parliament. There is a dire need for improvement in education and health sectors. I have been singing for my people for over five decades and now, I will speak for them. 

What are the main demands people in the Faridkot parliamentary constituency wish you to fulfil as an MP?  

Clean drinking water is one of their main demands. Having no alternative to get water supply, the residents solely rely on water from Sirhind Feeder. The canal water is highly contaminated with industrial effluents flowing into it unabatedly. Besides, groundwater too contains high levels of arsenic, fluoride, uranium, mercury and other heavy metals. So on the top of my priority list is to provide safe and sufficient drinking water to the residents in the constituency. 

The sacrilege at Bargari and police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan remained highly talked about during the polls. Now when the elections are over, is it still an issue?

Religion is an integral part of our psyche and it should not be hurt at any cost. These incidents were politically motivated. Punishment to those responsible for it is necessary to instill people’s confidence in the state. I will keep raising this issue time and again in the state and in Parliament as well till the culprits are not punished.

What else would you like to pursue in the next five years as an MP?

The menace of drugs is yet to be rooted out completely. Though the state government's work in the last two years is commendable, a lot needs to be done. Cooperation of the Central government is highly desirous on this front as the flow of the drugs from international borders is yet to be curtailed. I will take up the matter with the Centre. Farm crisis and unemployment are other big problems. Parents are desperate to send their children abroad mainly due to drug addiction and lack of opportunities here. We have to reverse this as society builds on the shoulders of its talented youth.

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