Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) state president Jasvir Singh Garhi says that along with ensuring quality education in government schools and employment to youths, ‘Bijli-Sadak-Pani’ (BSP) and the state’s overall development has become a crucial election issue in Punjab. If the BSP-SAD alliance is voted to power, it will work towards ensuring justice in sacrilege cases, better health infrastructure, and corruption-free governance.

Garhi adds that BSP supremo Mayawati will address a rally at Nawanshahr on February 8 that is expected to give a boost to the combine’s poll campaign. Garhi, who hails from Garhi Kanugo village in Nawanshahr district, says that the SAD-BSP alliance will also work to control the drug menace which is continuing as the drug mafia enjoys patronage from powers that be.

The state BSP chief says that farmers’ all issues will be resolved while corruption will be eliminated and a congenial atmosphere will be created for trade and industry to flourish. “This time people have made up their mind to bring the government of SAD-BSP alliance,” he insists. In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Garhi talks about election strategies, party’s stand on issues pertaining to the common people of the State ahead of the crucial Assembly election scheduled for February 20 with the counting of votes on March 10. Excerpts from the interview:

There’s resentment among BSP leaders over the ticket distribution. Some BSP leaders allege that the party has sold out tickets. It has fielded candidates in urban areas, where it has no presence. What do you have to say?

According to the seat-sharing arrangement, BSP is contesting 20 of the 117 assembly seats in the State, while the rest will be contested by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). There is no resentment among party leaders. Party leadership has taken the issue of selecting candidates very seriously with a major focus on their experience as well as winnability. Now, the party has declared its candidates on all 20 seats. Rumours were spread by Congress leaders regarding resentment among BSP workers over ticket distribution as they are in panic, and they are adopting all kinds of tactics.

As far as your query regarding BSP’s presence is concerned, I want to point out that BJP had 23 seats when it was in alliance with SAD, but their vote percentage was only 19 percent. On the other hand, BSP has 17 percent vote percentage from only 20 seats. So this is all just to create the wrong perception. With the declaration of candidates’ names, workers are making all-out efforts for the victory of the BSP-SAD alliance.

According to you, what are the main issues in this election?

Besides Bijli, Sadak, Pani; unemployment, delivery of justice in desecration cases, illegal sand mining, and drug menace are the key issues in the Assembly elections. The Congress-led State Government failed on all fronts. People’s welfare has been overlooked due to tussle among Congress leaders. Congress in Punjab and BJP government at the Centre had looted the State badly and had always acted against Punjabis and farmers. The people of Punjab now want to get rid of the Congress government’s misrule.

Owing to COVID pandemic, ECI has banned rallies. How are your party candidates and leaders reaching out to the voters?

The party leaders are connected with the people through different modes of communication in their respective constituencies by following COVID guidelines. In addition to this, virtual rallies are being conducted through social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, to reach out to the people for disseminating the party's programmes and agendas for the State. Party workers have been asked to work with honesty and make all-out efforts for the victory of the alliance on each seat.

You were employed as a veterinary inspector. Why politics?

I worked as a veterinary inspector for 18 years and was also associated with the India Backward and Minorities Communities Employees’ Federation (BAMCEF). Passion to work for the people had motivated me to join BSP, because it is a party with a vision and blessing of gurus and great men. It is fighting for social change and economic emancipation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and the poor. Party has given me a ticket for the assembly election from Phagwara seat. I have promised the constituency people of clean administration and corruption-free governance apart from improving infrastructure and redressal of public grievances. With the support of the people, I will win the election.

BSP has not won any seat in Punjab, either state or parliamentary since 1997. Also BSP’s vote percentage has been decreasing in Punjab over the years. How many seats are you expecting to win this time?

BSP has a committed and loyal cadre in the State. BSP founder Babu Kanshi Ram had formed this party in Punjab itself. The party leaders have been working for every downtrodden section by guarding their thinking and this will be our true tribute to them. In Doaba region, SAD-BSP alliance candidates will win maximum seats. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is repeatedly visiting Doaba, and asking for votes by claiming that his Government is in favour of Dalits. This is a sign of his nervousness. Party has fielded its candidates on 20 seats and I am sure that BSP will win all seats, and the SAD-BSP alliance will form the next government in Punjab with a clear majority.

Congress appointed Channi as Punjab’s first Dalit Chief Minister. He comes from the same caste background where BSP has its core base. Your comments

During his 111 days of tenure as the Chief Minister, Channi has made only promises but delivered nothing. Congress has misled Dalits by playing the caste card. But now, the Congress’ ploy has been exposed. If Congress calls itself a party of Dalits, then why is it not announcing Channi as the CM candidate. Channi will also be ousted after the elections and as a result, the Dalit community will be humiliated. People will teach them a lesson in this election.

Opinion polls of news channels say either AAP or Congress is likely to form the government. What would you say?

Our party has never believed in opinion polls. We believe in people’s mandate. To get favourable results in the opinion polls, the parties are spending crores of rupees. As far as the Congress party is concerned, their Ministers are already under the lens for committing multi-crore scams. They are fighting among themselves. Be it Navjot Sidhu Sidhu, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sunil Jakhar, or Tript Bajwa, Congress leaders are fighting to field their favourite candidates. Instead of working in Punjab’s interest, all the Congress leaders are in the queue  to become the Chief Minister. This party is heading towards a total rout. On the other hand, AAP  won't be able to touch the double digits.