Capt’s lieutenant banks on development agenda

Sunday, 05/05/2019

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SANGRUR: When the Congress led by Capt Amarinder Singh swept the state polls in 2017, Kewal Singh Dhillon lost his Barnala seat.

The defeat was a shock for Dhillon and his supporters as he was tipped to be a cabinet minister. All his plans were shattered but he did not sit at home. The businessmanturned-politician started bringing development funds for Barnala district and is now contesting from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, thanks to the chief minister with whom he enjoys a personal rapport.

Dhillon is known for throwing lavish parties for Amarinder in which the latter shows off his culinary skills. Despite his loss to a first-timer, the CM put his foot down and got him the Congress ticket, ignoring other contenders like former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Amargarh MLA Surjit Dhiman’s son Jaswinder Dhiman. The high command was in favour of fielding public works minister Vijay Inder Singla.

Though Dhillon’s candidature upset most ticket-seekers, only Dhiman openly voiced his dissent. Singla also kept away from his poll campaign initially and then fell in line.

“All is settled. Congressmen unite after ticket declaration,” claims the two-time former MLA.

TARGETED FOR LAVISH LIFESTYLE

His rivals are targeting him for lavish lifestyle, but Dhillon, who declared assets worth ₹131 crore, says he is banking on development agenda. “It is not bad to be rich. I am a self-made man. I wish that your son or daughter become rich,” he says in his campaign speeches.

“Sangrur neither has university nor any big industry. ‘Maharaja Saab’ (Amarinder) knows my capacity to undertake developmental works and wants to bring industry in Malwa for more jobs,” he adds, claiming to have a development road map. In a triangular fight with sitting AAP MP Bhagwant Mann and SAD nominee Parminder Singh Dhindsa, he never misses any opportunity to target them .

‘MANN NOTHING MORE THAN COMEDIAN’

Calling Mann a good comedian and not a serious politician, the Congress leader blames him for breaking the AAP in Punjab. “Before becoming an MP, Mann used to hold comedy shows in my political rallies for ₹50,000 per programme. I have promised people if they elect me, I will arrange his shows in the area,” he adds. As for SAD nominee Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Dhillon cites his father Sukhdev Dhindsa’s words and sacrilege slur as signs of trouble for party. The Congress faces a tough task due to dissidence and Mann’s mass appeal. The sizeable presence of dera premis also holds key to victory.