Punjab MLA report card: Ashwani from Pathankot, Babbehali from Gurdaspur - Hindustan Times
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Punjab MLA report card: Ashwani from Pathankot, Babbehali from Gurdaspur

Hindustan Times | ByHarkirat Singh and Aseem Bassi, Pathankot, Gurdaspur
Oct 22, 2016 11:27 PM IST

A series on performance of MLAs

Ashwani Kumar Sharma, 51, BJP

Constituency: Pathankot

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Education: BA

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 28 lakh

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Raman Bhalla of Congress by a margin of 17,856 votes

2007: He did not contest; Master Mohan Lal won this seat for BJP

Assembly record: Questions asked: None; Call attention moved: None

How he performed: As a former president of the BJP in Punjab, he used his influence to get district status for the area and also got Pathankot town the municipal corporation. He also brought in a number of projects, including a stadium, an auditorium, a government college, and roads and bridges. He had a good rapport with the locals and did not fail to attend social functions. He, however, maintained distance from his rival faction of former BJP minister Mohan Lal and also did not get along too well with sitting MP Vinod Khanna, who is also from his party. Little or no work has been done to improve the general hygiene of Pathankot and also health services. Most serious medical cases are referred to Amritsar. Traffic remains in a deplorable state..

Power punch: Former state BJP chief, he has strong RSS background

What next: Re-nomination could be tough if MP backs rival faction

By the way: Is a foodie, and also loves swimming

MLA-speak: I got many projects and the district status. I am satisfied but, given another chance, want to do more on the traffic front..

Voter-speak

Though the MLA got roads re-laid and also district status, he failed to come up with any effective projects to empower women. - Pooja Ghai, 36, housewife

It is only close to polls that the city is getting a facelift. Voters are annoyed and have suffered due to bad roads for the past four years. - Dr Viney Sharma, 57, paediatrician

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Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, 63, SAD

Constituency: Gurdaspur

Education: Class 10

Assets declared in last polls: Rs 86 lakh

Electoral record

2012: Defeated Raman Bahl of Congress by 21,570 votes

2007: Defeated Pritam Singh Bhinder of Congress by 4,337 votes

Assembly record: Questions asked: None; Call attention moved: None

Power punch: Close to CM Badal, SAD veteran Langah, has deep pockets

What next: Banking on proximity with CM; faces opposition from local leaders

By the way: Keeps his phone tucked into his socks

How he performed: A two-time MLA, he is credited with having undertaken a number of development works — a new district administrative complex, a driving school, a School for the Meritorious. He also has to his credit the improvement of sewerage in Gurdapsur. He got a new civil hospital constructed but faced criticism for the new hospital being three kilometres away; while the old one was in the heart of the town. He started housing projects but faced a major agitation after allegations of backing the land mafia. That agitation, in which SAD partner BJP also participated, is still on. The city still lacks good roads, and the railway crossing is a major traffic hazard. The general lack of cleanliness is an issue that troubles people to date.

MLA-speak: I have given my best, but there is always room for more. I want to better the roads and carry out beautification of key chowks.

Voter-speak

Things have moved in the right direction. A new sewage system has helped ease waterlogging problem. I am satisfied with the MLA’s work. - Vijay Kumar, 52, shopkeeper

Whatever be the claims, Gurdaspur remains backward. Roads in the town and also in rural areas are in a bad shape, no matter who the MLA is. - Surinder Kumar, 62, retd employee of Military Engineer Services

Also read | Punjab MLA report card: Babbu in Sujanpur and Seema in Bhoa

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