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MLA report card: Charanjit Singh Channi and Jagmohan Singh Kang
Hindustan Times takes a look at Punjab MLAs and their performance:
Charanjit Singh Channi, 48, Congress
Constituency: Chamkaur Sahib (SC)
Education: LLB and MBA
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 10.2 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated SAD candidate Jagmeet Kaur by a margin of 3,659 votes
2007: As independent candidate, defeated SAD’s Satwant Kaur by 1,758 votes
Assembly record
Questions asked: 87
Call attention moved: 17
Power punch A Dalit face and CLP leader, has access to high command
What next Likely to contest again from the segment
How he performed
Recently, he made headlines after climbing a pole and restoring power connection of some panchayats that had been disconnected over non-payment of dues. He has been regularly raising issues and holding protests, though people say his performance dipped after he was made Congress legislature party (CLP) leader. Despite being in opposition for both his terms, he has been able to make a mark by getting sewerage and lighting works done. A long-pending demand of repair of the road connecting Chamkaur Sahib with Morinda is hanging fire. He led many agitations for it. He is known to be accessible and uses social media well. Also, he has been connecting with the youth by distributing sports kits.
By the way A fan of Gurdas Maan’s songs
Voterspeak
“The area has not seen development as the MLA is from the opposition. He tried to resolve issues at his own level, raised these in the assembly. He is regularly in the constituency,” Bharat Singh, 80, trade union leader, said.
“The MLA’s being in the opposition meant no development. Roads are in bad state, especially the Morinda-Chamkaur Sahib stretch. Only patch work is being done on link roads,” Sham Lal, 70, retd govt employee, said.
Jagmohan Singh Kang, 65, Congress
Constituency: Kharar
Education: MA, LLB
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 12.1 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated SAD candidate Ujjagar Singh by 6,779 votes
2007: Lost from Morinda; Balbir Singh won this seat for the Congress
Assembly record
Questions asked: 78
Call attention moved: 7
Power punch Known for proximity to top leaders; three-time MLA
What next Likely to again get the ticket
How he performed
He has been taking up issues and sitting on dharnas to press for residents’ demands. But being a legislator of the opposition, he has not been able to make much change due to lack of funding. He did succeed in getting done the construction of a causeway at the Khanpur bridge, bringing much relief from traffic jams there. He counts this as a prime achievement of his tenure. Most of the development works carried out in Kharar have been through SAD leaders, thus Kang has not got credit. He says that despite having worked hard to get supply of water to Kurali and Kharar from the Kajauli water works, it remains one of his major projects that could not be completed.
By the way
Hardcore believer in attending bhogs and weddings
Voterspeak
“The prime issues — traffic jams, poor roads, lack of parking space, and no proper bus stand — are unresolved. Being in opposition, at least he could have raised these in the assembly,” Kamal Tiwana, 38, agriculturist, said.
“Kharar is still struggling to get basic infrastructure, like roads. Though he did some work in Kurali, Kharar faces daily traffic jams. We don’t know when a bus stand will be built,” Anu Sharma, 42, lawyer, said.
Tomorrow: Mohali, Amloh, Bassi Pathana, Fatehgarh Sahib
