As the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, goes to ballot on June 1, Congress candidate Manish Tewari, a former Union Minister and at the moment a Member of Parliament from Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib constituency, is toiling to wrest the seat from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Tewari, a two-time MP, says that the 2024 Lok Sabha ballot is an existential election for India. Edited excerpts:
How do you see the 2024 Lok Sabha ballot?
This is an existential election for India. I’m firmly satisfied that this might be the final election in this nation, if those that are in energy at the Centre have been to succeed, which, given the floor actuality, appears tough at this cut-off date. This is an election that I’m fighting to defend democracy, to defend the Constitution of India… they [the BJP leaders] have been very express about their intentions that they might scrap the Constitution and exchange it with one thing of their very own. In Chandigarh, individuals witnessed what occurred throughout the mayoral elections. Someone had the vote, and another person turned the Mayor. And the Supreme Court had to train its extraordinary jurisdiction below Article 142 to protect democracy generally. So this is one thing which resonates very strongly with the individuals as a result of they’ve seen it unfolding proper earlier than their eyes… this was solely a trailer of what is in retailer for us.
Why Chandigarh?
I’ve represented Ludhiana (Punjab) in the previous, I signify the adjoining constituency of Sri Anandpur Sahib; I feel I’ve acquitted myself pretty over the 5 years. It was the celebration’s determination to shift me to Chandigarh. I too needed to serve the metropolis the place I used to be born, went to faculty, faculty, and college, the place my father was assassinated by terrorists on April 3, 1984, and the place my mom spent her whole working life. There is an intrinsic connection that I’ve with the metropolis. And by the way, I’m maybe the solely candidate since 1967, when Chandigarh began having a Lok Sabha election, who was really born in this metropolis. So, regardless that my opponent targets me for being an “outsider”, the truth is that if there is a legatee to Chandigarh, it is me.
Between the Congress and its potential allies, do you assume your celebration is ready to formulate a united entrance in phrases of concepts and mobilisation?
Putting collectively a pre-poll coalition is simpler stated than performed, however regardless of the hiccups the INDIA bloc has managed pretty. Those who determined not to get right into a pre-poll association, I feel would do post-poll alliance since you really fall on the similar facet of the fence. When you may have events which have contradictions, floor coordination is laborious. But to this point we appear to be doing alright. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had a joint assembly that has despatched a constructive message. Within the Congress there are contradictory voices. For instance, on inheritance tax, wealth redistribution, caste census and so on. What’s your take? The Congress’s place is spelt out in its manifesto, which is the final authoritative phrase so far as the celebration is involved. Yes, we don’t observe a regimented-Hitlerian self-discipline, the place individuals don’t articulate their level of views, however these are private views.
The Congress is fighting in alliance with AAP in Chandigarh, however contesting in opposition to it in Punjab. How tough is it to persuade individuals of this contradiction?
It is not as a lot of a contradiction. Historically, we’ve been fighting polls in opposition to the Left in Kerala however we’ve been cooperating at the nationwide stage. Even in West Bengal, we fought in opposition to the Trinamool Congress however cooperated at the nationwide stage. In north India, it’s a brand new experiment. During my marketing campaign, I defined to the individuals why we’re fighting collectively right here [in Chandigarh] and individually there [in Punjab]. The sole objective of [fighting] this election is to save and redeem the soul of the nation.
The voting proportion has been comparatively low in the first section of Lok Sabha ballot…
More individuals want to come out and vote. But a low turnout doesn’t essentially mirror pro-incumbency. It is reflective of a fatigue with the incumbent nationwide authorities. People who supported the authorities beforehand are usually not popping out in massive numbers.
To strengthen the metropolis’s public transport, would you push for a metro rail service, which was opposed by BJP MP Kirron Kher?
In 2019, after I was an MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib, I had written to Union Minister of Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari, suggesting a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) from Ambala to Landran to Panchkula. The motive I recommended such a large expanse was that it might harness the created potential of the Tricity [Chandigarh-Panchkula-Mohali]. More importantly, it might carry monetary viability as properly for the challenge. The resolution to exponentially rising visitors is an environment friendly and efficacious MRTS.