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Congress has faced repeated defeats in Sanganer constituency since 2003, even though its boundaries were redefined in the 2008 delimitation. In fact, Congress has won the seat just twice since its creation in 1977. Party candidate Pushpendra Bhardwaj spoke to TOI on why he was still hopeful after losing the 2018 election from here. Excerpts:
How do you see your chances of winning in a BJP stronghold like Sanganer?
Sanganer will no longer remain a BJP bastion.It is now a stronghold of the people who are determined to elect a candidate who works for them all five years not someone who comes for five months during the elections. The BJP is facing tough time in the constituency because it has not cared for the residents.
Do you not think BJP MLAs elected from here since 2003 have done development works in Sanganer?
For decades, BJP candidates have won from here but Sanganer’s poor condition shows they did little for its people. Despite losing the election, I worked with the state government and got sewer lines and Bisalpur water pipelines. I got 30,000 streetlights and four new government colleges. There was no government college in Sanganer, though Ghanshyam Tiwari elected from here was an education minister. Now, a satellite hospital is coming up, while an Ayurveda hospital has already been opened.
BJP candidate alleged that your wealth increased five times in five years. How do you explain that?
You can check my affidavit. I have not purchased any new property. I have shown the same property that I declared in the 2018 election. Only its value has increased. The ground reality is that I had to sell my gold bracelet to be able to contest this election.
How do you see the BJP candidate as an opponent?
As we all know, he comes from outside the constituency; news reports show that he belongs to Bharatpur where he will go to cast his vote. While ‘son of Sanganer’ Pushpendra Bhardwaj will cast the vote in Sanganer constituency. Despite losing the 2018 election, I have lived every moment with the people of Sanganer. During the horrific covid pandemic time also, it was me who was available to the local people.
Do you think that star campaigners should come to your constituency to seek support for you?
For me, my people are the star campaigners. They are doing mouth-publicity for me, which is commendable. It is a big thing for me that in a BJP stronghold everyone knows me. I prepared a 51-point election manifesto after meeting people by walking 450-km in the last three months. I met 40,000 people personally who gave suggestions about development works needed here.
How do you see your chances of winning in a BJP stronghold like Sanganer?
Sanganer will no longer remain a BJP bastion.It is now a stronghold of the people who are determined to elect a candidate who works for them all five years not someone who comes for five months during the elections. The BJP is facing tough time in the constituency because it has not cared for the residents.
Do you not think BJP MLAs elected from here since 2003 have done development works in Sanganer?
For decades, BJP candidates have won from here but Sanganer’s poor condition shows they did little for its people. Despite losing the election, I worked with the state government and got sewer lines and Bisalpur water pipelines. I got 30,000 streetlights and four new government colleges. There was no government college in Sanganer, though Ghanshyam Tiwari elected from here was an education minister. Now, a satellite hospital is coming up, while an Ayurveda hospital has already been opened.
BJP candidate alleged that your wealth increased five times in five years. How do you explain that?
You can check my affidavit. I have not purchased any new property. I have shown the same property that I declared in the 2018 election. Only its value has increased. The ground reality is that I had to sell my gold bracelet to be able to contest this election.
How do you see the BJP candidate as an opponent?
As we all know, he comes from outside the constituency; news reports show that he belongs to Bharatpur where he will go to cast his vote. While ‘son of Sanganer’ Pushpendra Bhardwaj will cast the vote in Sanganer constituency. Despite losing the 2018 election, I have lived every moment with the people of Sanganer. During the horrific covid pandemic time also, it was me who was available to the local people.
Do you think that star campaigners should come to your constituency to seek support for you?
For me, my people are the star campaigners. They are doing mouth-publicity for me, which is commendable. It is a big thing for me that in a BJP stronghold everyone knows me. I prepared a 51-point election manifesto after meeting people by walking 450-km in the last three months. I met 40,000 people personally who gave suggestions about development works needed here.
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