E-Paper
'It's a privilege to contest for Modi'
Infighting in the Chandigarh unit of the BJP resulted in the party fielding a neutral candidate - actor Kirron Kher. Soon after the announcement of her candidature, the local BJP unit came out on the roads to protest. Kher, 58, intends to take everyone along and says she is contesting from the city where she was brought up and would work to ensure the development of the city.
Infighting in the Chandigarh unit of the BJP resulted in the party fielding a neutral candidate - actor Kirron Kher. Soon after the announcement of her candidature, the local BJP unit came out on the roads to protest. Kher, 58, intends to take everyone along and says she is contesting from the city where she was brought up and would work to ensure the development of the city. Excerpts from the interview:
Why did you take the electoral plunge?
I have taken the plunge for my party. It is the least I can do and it's a privilege to contest for party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Why are you contesting from Chandigarh which you left long ago?
I belong to the city and have my roots here. The party asked me to contest from here. I had decided to campaign for the candidate to be fielded from Chandigarh but was taken by surprise when the party approached me for contesting from here.
What will be your priorities as an MP?
Proper garbage disposal, condition of roads and ensuring basic amenities to colony-dwellers will be my priorities as these issues have always concerned me whenever I visited the city.
What are your views on the performance of Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, who has been at the helm for the past 15 years?
Bansal, being an MP from the ruling party, could have done so much to make the city world-class. I fail to understand why he did not do much for its improvement even after being in the saddle for almost 15 years.
No sooner was your name announced there were protests in Chandigarh.
Infighting is there in all parties. Once I visit the city, I will address the issue and people will definitely accept me.
