Latest news with #ShwaitMalik
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana MC: Oppn joins BJP's protest against mayor on Day 5
The ongoing protest by BJP councillors and leaders at municipal corporation Zone D witnessed extensive support from opposition parties as the demonstration enters the fifth day on Tuesday. The demonstrators are demanding that mayor Inderjit Kaur take immediate steps to resume stalled development works in city wards, claiming public services are being severely affected. Senior BJP leader Shwait Malik along with local leaders staged a protest at MC Zone D office against the mayor in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) Criticism from SAD leadership Former Akali Dal MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon also weighed in, taking a dig at both the mayor and councillors over the ongoing standoff. 'It takes patience and coordination to represent thousands. The cancellation of the F&CC meeting recently shows a lack of seriousness toward Ludhiana's issues,' he said. Dhillon highlighted the city's worsening condition including poor sewage systems, broken roads, unclean surroundings, and water quality concerns. He criticised the ongoing political blame game, saying it was unclear whether it would yield any results for the city. Drawing comparisons, Dhillon praised former SAD mayors Apinder Singh Grewal, Hakam Singh Giaspura, and Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, under whose leadership Ludhiana reportedly achieved 100% sewerage coverage, extensive road and lighting development, mass hiring of sanitation workers, and the construction of elevated roads and fogging systems. He alleged that the present administration had failed even to maintain that progress. Congress backs BJP's stand In a surprising political turn, Congress councillor Gaurav Bhatti, along with several former councillors, joined the protest on Tuesday. Bhatti raised concerns over the recent transfer of a sanitation worker, who he claimed was targeted despite being dedicated to his duties. He warned that if the transfer orders were not revoked immediately, Congress councillors would be forced to launch a parallel protest outside the MC Zone B office. Bhatti further demanded that the Municipal Corporation pass a resolution to ensure councillors are consulted before any sanitation worker is transferred from their ward. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman reaffirmed that the protest is not politically driven but focused on genuine public issues. 'We are fighting for the people. The mayor must come and resolve this matter,' he said. The protest also saw the arrival of former state BJP president and ex-Amritsar mayor Shwait Malik, who criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. 'The people who were rejected in Delhi are now governing Punjab like dictators,' he said. Malik added that councillors from all parties have the right to demand development in their wards, and accused the government of trying to 'break the morale' of BJP leaders by lodging FIRs against them. 'But BJP is not a party that bows to pressure,' he asserted. Dy mayor attempts mediation Later in the evening, deputy mayor Prince Johar visited the protest site and appealed for resolution through communication. He offered juice to the protesters as a gesture of goodwill and listened to their concerns. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman briefed Johar on the issue and reiterated the party's willingness to engage in talks but only directly with the mayor. The deputy mayor requested a day's time to speak with the mayor and work toward a resolution. Protest a political stunt: Mayor Mayor Inderjit Kaur dismissed the protest as a political stunt, stating that the BJP leaders were intentionally creating a scene. She reiterated that her office is open for dialogue and claimed she has never refused to resolve any councillor's genuine concerns. 'If senior leadership is visiting Ludhiana, they should carefully consider what is right and wrong,' she said. Box The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday held protests in eight different wards of the city, raising various civic issues including poor sanitation, damaged roads, and lack of basic amenities. Party councillors and local workers led the demonstrations in their respective areas. They alleged that the city's infrastructure was in shambles despite claims of development under the Smart City project. Councillor Rohit Sikka from Ward No. 66 took part in the protest near his residence, where heaps of garbage were reportedly lying unattended for days. Sikka, along with around 100 volunteers and his family members, cleaned the area themselves before launching the protest. He said that such protests would be held in other wards too to bring attention to similar issues. District BJP president Rajnesh Dhiman, who addressed the protestors, said the party would organise demonstrations in different wards every day. 'People deserve to know what actual development has taken place in the last three-and-a-half years under the Smart City mission. AAP's promises have turned out to be hollow. The ground reality shows broken roads and poor civic conditions despite citizens paying crores in taxes,' he said. Several councillors and BJP workers from the respective wards participated in the protests and pledged to continue raising public issues across the city in the coming days.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP highlights development and accuses rivals during Ludhiana West byelection campaign.
Ludhiana: Former Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik has framed the Ludhiana West by-election as a fundamental contest between "truth and evil," urging voters to back the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate, Jiwan Gupta, for what he described as a new era of development in the constituency. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Malik highlighted the BJP's "more work, less talk" approach, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the party's momentum after winning a historic third term. He described the BJP as India's largest political party and called Gupta—a party veteran of over 30 years — the right choice to deliver "a flood of development works" to Ludhiana West. Malik pointed to major infrastructure projects, including the construction of an international-standard railway station and a nearly completed airport in Ludhiana, as evidence of the Modi government's vision. He also cited the development of elevated roads, flyovers, the first IIT in Punjab, AIIMS Bathinda, and a PGI satellite hospital in Ferozepur as key achievements. National initiatives such as free food grains for 800 million people, the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, and the "One Nation, One Tax" policy were also credited to the BJP's record. Despite the absence of a BJP government in Punjab, Malik argued that the party has consistently approved major works for the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He contrasted this with what he called the "looting" and "unfulfilled promises" of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, accusing both of misleading Punjabis. Malik took aim at AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, questioning his development record as a Rajya Sabha MP and lampooning his campaign promises. He also criticised the practice of appointing leaders "discarded in Delhi" to high-profile posts in Punjab, calling AAP a "Khas Aam Aadmi" (special common man) party rather than a party of the people. The BJP leader warned of the rise of drug, sand, and liquor mafias in Punjab, alleging chief minister Bhagwant Mann is under pressure from these groups. He also accused Congress of favouring terrorists and claimed the party is being "wiped from the country." Malik concluded by asserting that a BJP victory in Ludhiana West would set the stage for the party to form government in Punjab in 2027. MSID:: 121753294 413 |
