Latest news with #ParupkarSinghGhuman
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Message is simple, it's time for change: Parupkar Singh Ghuman, Shiromani Akali Dal candidate for Ludhiana West
As the Ludhiana West assembly constituency heads into a crucial bypoll, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman has positioned himself as a strong contender, with a focus on clean governance, civic accountability and resolving the long-ignored Budhha Nullah issue. A renowned lawyer and grassroots worker, Ghuman is building his campaign on transparency, public connect, and local issues that have long been overlooked. In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Ghuman shares his road map for the constituency and how he plans to restore faith in governance, if elected. Q: What is your message to the voters of Ludhiana West in this byelection? The people of Ludhiana West have been neglected for too long. Roads are crumbling, pollution is rising, and civic systems are failing. My message is simple — it's time for change. I am not here to make tall claims, but to represent the voice of people that has remained unheard for years. I want to bring accountability and a new work culture. I will be the voice of Ludhiana West in the assembly. Q: Budhha Nullah continues to remain a key issue. How do you plan to address it? The Budhha Nullah has turned into a symbol of administrative failure. Despite thousands of crores being spent, nothing has improved on ground. I will push for a court-monitored, time-bound plan to clean it. The practice of dumping sludge from sewage treatment plants (STPs) into the nullah must be stopped immediately. A third-party audit of the funds spent so far must also be conducted. Q: The SAD has struggled in recent elections. How are you tackling internal challenges and voter trust? It's true that SAD went through a difficult phase. Workers were disillusioned, especially on panthic issues. But I've held meetings to restore their confidence. I believe in working with documents, with facts. I have assured our cadre that we are here with a clear agenda and transparent purpose. Q: How do you distinguish yourself from other candidates in the fray? Others rely on their past records or party slogans. I believe in real-time public engagement. My campaign is driven by ground realities sanitation, illegal encroachments, mismanaged sewage systems. I don't promise miracles, I commit to action. Q: With BJP gaining urban ground in the Lok Sabha polls, how will that impact SAD's chances? Will there be an alliance? The BJP wave during Lok Sabha polls was largely influenced by national sentiments like the Ram Mandir. As for an alliance, it will depend on policy alignment. SAD is committed to Punjab's farmers, industries, and regional needs. If BJP aligns with our core values, talks may happen — but that's for the leadership to decide. Q: What are your key poll agendas? I have five core priorities- strengthening law and order, which has collapsed under AAP. Infrastructure revival across sectors. Budhha Nullah clean-up with independent monitoring. Resolution of the long-pending City Centre scam. Creation of a sector-wise grievance redressal system for fast-track public complaint resolution. Q: What about the internal rift with SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali? Will it affect your campaign? Ayali has differences with the party leadership but he remains in the party. I'm contesting for the SAD, for the people. The issues of Ludhiana West are unique and not connected to rural concerns. My focus is clear to work for the people of this constituency, without distractions.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Citizen-candidate dialogue aims to address state's burning social & environ issues
Ludhiana: A civic engagement programme was organised by PAC Mattewara, along with various environmental and social organisations from across Punjab, at Leisure Valley here Sunday. Titled "Our Issues, Your Stand", the event aimed to hold political candidates accountable by directly confronting them on pressing public issues just four days before Ludhiana West goes to polls. In a unique format, candidates and representatives moved from stand to stand, each manned by an NGO or civil rights group, responding to pointed questions on critical issues. Only two candidates and a representative of another took part in the event. They were Navneet Kumar Gopi, candidate of Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann group), Parupkar Singh Ghuman, SAD candidate and Gurdeep Singh Gosha, who came on behalf of BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta. The NGOs and rights groups raked up issues like the proposed urban estates on 25,000 acres of agricultural land, chemical-laced wastewater being let out into the Buddha Dariya, the setting up of a new paper mill at Chamkaur Sahib on the banks of the Buddha Dariya and Neelon canal, alleged encroachment of land belonging to schools and colleges, lifting of the ban on plastic bags and single-use plastic items, rampant encroachment of green belts, amendment of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the unresolved Mattewara land issue, Punjab's looming water crisis, and appointment of outsiders to constitutional, govt, and political posts in Punjab. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Thanking the candidates who could make it to the programme, Amandeep Bains and Jaskirat Singh of PAC (Mattewara) said, "Those who do not have the time or inclination to listen to the issues of the people just four days before polling, what can we expect from them after they win the election?" Activists Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Singh Khaira thanked the teams of Chamkaur Sahib Morcha, Zira Sanjha Morcha, Batala Bachao Morcha, Mattewara Morcha, among others, who came from far-off places, especially for the programme, and asked the right questions. Col JS Gill, Brij Bhushan Goyal, Preet Dhanoa, Gurpreet Plaha, Amrita Mangat, Mohit Saggar from PAC, Karan Kandhola from Chamkaur Sahib Morcha, Gurmel Singh and Roman Brar from Zira Sanjha Morcha, Param Sunil Kaur from Batala Bachao Morcha, and Kashmir Singh from Sekhowal village were present with their team members.
