Bhoa (Pathankot) September 30, 2017: Campaigning for the upcoming Gurdaspur LS bypoll, SAD-BJP candidate Swaran Salaria visited the border-lying areas of the constituency. Salaria, accompanied by Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla, met the villagers of village Bamial near the Indo-Pak border and assured them that he will ensure the completion of construction work of Bamial sub-station, stalled by the Congress government for long. Jubilant over Salaria’s announcement, the villagers not only showed great affection, but also promised to vote for him.
Villagers Satpal Verma, Jaspal Singh, Major Singh Pathania, Kirpal Singh Bamial, Ami Chand etc. said that the foundation stone for the electricity sub-station in Bamial was laid down during the Akali-BJP government regime and the Sarpanch had donated his land for the same. After change of government in the state, the Congress MLA tried to stall the project, thereby brewing anger against the Congress. Since, the Sarpanch is affiliated to BJP, the MLA also tried to hinder other development works and now the Congress will have to pay for it in the LS bypoll, they said.
The locals said that they received many benefits from the previous Akali-BJP government but during the last six months the villages have been facing neglect. While the Congress MLA had abandoned the area, even the Congress candidate, Sunil Jakhar, hasn’t taken out time to visit them. “The way Swaran Salaria has included the area in his first round of campaigning, it shows that he is concerned about us and he will give us priority when he wins”, they said.
Overwhelmed by the love and affection he received, Salaria said that though the Congress has tried to hamper the construction work of Bamial sub-station, he will ensure that this is the first thing he executes after winning. He promised that a holistic plan will be devised to improve the condition of this border-lying village.
Salaria said, “I was born and brought up in Gurdaspur and I understand the problems of the people here. One who is an outsider and has already been rejected by the voters of another area, neither understands the sentiments of the locals, nor will he visit this place afterwards. What can you expect from a person who couldn’t retain the confidence of the people of his paternal constituency?”
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister and Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla said ever since the BJP government has come into power at the Centre, India has become a power to be reckoned with internationally. “It is because of the capabilities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a country like China has also mended its stance. Modi government understands the pain and agony of each section of the society. Congress has always betrayed the people of this country. The Congress came into power in Punjab by making huge promises, but hasn’t fulfilled a single one even after 6 months. I appeal that this is the best chance to teach Congress a lesson”.
Former MLA Seema Devi, Deeksha Sharma, Narendra Parmar, city president Tarsem Lal, former Sarpanch Subhash Chander etc. were also present on the occasion.