CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the big fight, Harmohan Dhawan has decided to reach out to people with his "unmatched" development record during his tenure.

The former Union minister for civil aviation had a witty remark for finance minister's budget speech and famously said that Pranab Mukherjee could not mention the fivefold hike in prices of essential commodities in his budget speech as it would have embarrassed his government.

The BSP candidate, who has changed parties like clothes, says the Congress cannot win this time as a large number of Dalits and Muslims have found an alternative in him. Commenting on other players, he says the BJP has lost half the battle as it is not even able to overcome its internal rift.

A nature-lover whose gardens have won many prizes, Dhawan is now gearing up to add supporters to his political bouquet by exploiting his speaking skills.

As a reminder of his formative years during which he had socialistic leanings, Dhawan finds himself completely at ease with the BSP ideology. Voicing Jay Prakash Narayan's socialist agenda in supporting the poor, Dhawan is approaching the public with a 'Vote for performance not for promises' slogan. The former Union minister claims that he is getting immense support from all sections, which include the middle, upper-middle and lower-middle class of the society. "Congress-led UPA government did not give anything to people in the last five years. Even the elite class is feeling cheated by the present government," he says.

Enumerating his achievements during the short tenure as Union minister, he says, "It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that I could deliver all that I had promised to people. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), which was crucial to city's medical infrastructure, was introduced by my team. Also, to put an end to drinking water problem, I initiated third phase of Kajauli water works and sanctioned funds for co-operative societies."

"I wish to remind that B2 status was given to the city during my stay in the office. The new status gave immense benefits to not only UT employees but also those working under Punjab and Haryana governments. Demands of UT employees, who had been agitating to bring their pay scales at par with Punjab counterparts, were also put to rest during my tenure," he says.

"To make the city slum-free, I allowed construction of houses for the economically weaker section (EWS) in 1990 in Mauli Jagran. I also provided licenses to 4,200 rehri vendors, while allotment of booths in various sectors also started during my tenure. I brought the irrigation rate down from 85 paisa to 25 paisa, while land acquisition rates were increased by Rs one lakh per acre during my time," he adds.

"Jain should not think that BSP's emergence will only eat up Congress vote bank, it will also dampen the spirits of BJP. This time, Sikh voters are not with him (Jain)," he says.

"As far as Pawan Kumar Bansal is concerned, he will not be able to see the face of victory due to five reasons. Firstly, his Dalit votes have been totally ruined. Secondly, Muslim voters are disillusioned with Congress. Also, price rise is going to give Congress a big jolt. Besides this, the Left has openly said that it will neither go with the Congress nor BJP. And last but not the least, anti-incumbency factor will surely play a role.," he says.

Future plans

When asked what major changes would he effect if he were elected to power, Harmohan Dhawan claimed he would put a cap on the Rs 670-crore surplus budget of UT that usually went to the central pool and spend the same on development of ChandigarhDeepak Yadav/TNN


Chandigarh: Ahead of the big fight, Harmohan Dhawan has decided to reach out to people with his ?unmatched? development record during his tenure. The former Union minister for civil aviation had a witty remark for finance minister?s budget speech and famously said that Pranab Mukherjee could not mention the fivefold hike in prices of essential commodities in his budget speech as it would have embarrassed his government.

The BSP candidate, who has changed parties like clothes, says the Congress cannot win this time as a large number of Dalits and Muslims have found an alternative in him. Commenting on other players, he says the BJP has lost half the battle as it is not even able to overcome its internal rift.

A nature-lover whose gardens have won many prizes, Dhawan is now gearing up to add supporters to his political bouquet by exploiting his speaking skills.

As a reminder of his formative years during which he had socialistic leanings, Dhawan finds himself completely at ease with the BSP ideology. Voicing Jay Prakash Narayan?s socialist agenda in supporting the poor, Dhawan is approaching the public with a ?Vote for performance not for promises? slogan. The former Union minister claims that he is getting immense support from all sections, which include the middle, upper-middle and lower-middle class of the society. ?Congress-led UPA government did not give anything to people in the last five years. Even the elite class is feeling cheated by the present government,? he says.

Enumerating his achievements during the short tenure as Union minister, he says, ?It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that I could deliver all that I had promised to people. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), which was crucial to city?s medical infrastructure, was introduced by my team. Also, to put an end to drinking water problem, I initiated third phase of Kajauli water works and sanctioned funds for co-operative societies.?

?I wish to remind that B2 status was given to the city during my stay in the office. The new status gave immense benefits to not only UT employees but also those working under Punjab and Haryana governments. Demands of UT employees, who had been agitating to bring their pay scales at par with Punjab counterparts, were also put to rest during my tenure,? he says.

?To make the city slum-free, I allowed construction of houses for the economically weaker section (EWS) in 1990 in Mauli Jagran. I also provided licenses to 4,200 rehri vendors, while allotment of booths in various sectors also started during my tenure. I brought the irrigation rate down from 85 paisa to 25 paisa, while land acquisition rates were increased by Rs one lakh per acre during my time,? he adds.

?Jain should not think that BSP?s emergence will only eat up Congress vote bank, it will also dampen the spirits of BJP. This time, Sikh voters are not with him (Jain),? he says.

?As far as Pawan Kumar Bansal is concerned, he will not be able to see the face of victory due to five reasons. Firstly, his Dalit votes have been totally ruined. Secondly, Muslim voters are disillusioned with Congress. Also, price rise is going to give Congress a big jolt. Besides this, the Left has openly said that it will neither go with the Congress nor BJP. And last but not the least, anti-incumbency factor will surely play a role.,? he says.

Future plans when asked what major changes would he effect if he were elected to power, Harmohan Dhawan claimed he would put a cap on the Rs 670-crore surplus budget of UT that usually went to the central pool and spend the same ondevelopment of Chandigarh