Ravi Dhaliwal
In Gurdaspur, more than anything else, voters want to know the fate of development projects announced by the government from time to time in the past.
These projects will be giving employment to their children. Hence the focus is on development rather than speculating on the eventual winners or losers. This Assembly seat has few employment avenues. In the future, too, the chances of big-ticket projects setting up shop here are bleak.
“In the run-up to the elections, leaders promise us the moon. But this time we will not be fooled. Whenever a politician will make a promise, we will ask him or her to give it in writing. The days of listening to mere rhetoric are over. Actually, the manifestos released by parties should have some sort of legal sanctity and only then the phenomenon of making false promises disappear,” said Nikhil Kumar, a small-time shopkeeper. His views reflect the majority of voters’ sentiments.
Barring a few rice mills, the area has absolutely no industry. The world famous Keshopur wetland has the potential to bring in tourists and give the local economy a major fillip. However, it remains untapped. Residents also want an answer from leaders as to what happened to the medical college and hospital project promised by then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in 2017. The venture has met a dead end after getting mired in red tape.
Past trend
Ever since the first Assembly elections were held in 1951, the Congress has won 12 times, while SAD has emerged victorious on four occasions. No other party apart from the Congress and SAD has been able to make its presence felt in the segment.
Locals’ key demands
- Civil hospital’s relocation
- Wetland’s development
- Shifting of bus stand
- Employment for youth
Electorate strength
Total voters: 1,55,264
Male: 81,230
Female: 74,032
Third gender: 2
GURDASPUR: Limited job avenues worrisome
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