‘I want to involve all people in business of governance’: Mehmood Khan

Khan will be pitted against Congress’ Capt (retd) Ajay Singh Yadav and BJP’s Rao Inderjit Singh. Testing the political waters for the first time, he is hoping to get votes on his clean and credible image.

Mehmood Khan is the candidate of Jannayak Janata Party (JJP)-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance from the Gurgaon parliamentary seat. A social entrepreneur, Khan, 64, worked in the corporate world for nearly four decades after which he moved back to Mewat to work at the grassroots level. Khan will be pitted against Congress’ Capt (retd) Ajay Singh Yadav and BJP’s Rao Inderjit Singh. Testing the political waters for the first time, he is hoping to get votes on his clean and credible image.

Mehmood Khan (HT Photo)

You have spent more than four decades in the corporate world. What made you plunge into electoral politics?

One cannot avoid politics if one wants to address economic, cultural, and social issues. The thought of joining politics struck me in 2009 but the political organisation that I approached had their own priorities. It didn’t work out with the party in terms of participation. Meanwhile, a lot of corruption issues started coming up and I got involved with India Against Corruption. In 2011, I participated in a dharna at the Jantar Mantar which eventually resulted in formation of the AAP. But all of that became very Delhi-centric. I want to create a difference by contributing positively and bringing all stakeholders together. On April 12, I got a call from a well-wisher telling me that JJP wanted to approach me.

How would you describe your journey from a small village in Mewat to the corporate world?

My village did not have some of the most basic things, such as electricity or roads. I used to wade through knee-deep waters to reach my school in the other village. While I was still in university, I got admission in IIM-A. I was a product of a government school. So, obviously, my spoken English was not as good. But I persisted. Later, I joined Unilever and my last job was as the head of global leader of innovation. Last 20 years of my job were global assignments. I came back to India in 2009 and moved to Gurugram and my two villages in Mewat.

Mewat is the most backward district in the country as per NITI Ayog rankings. Your views.

Mewat is slowly decaying. A lot of it has to do with environmental degradation, which is basically due to threats to Aravallis, deforestation and population pressure. Mewat is a forgotten region. There is not a single university or skills institute here. The youth struggle to participate in Gurugram’s modern economy. The region has been neglected by the state. If things are allowed to proceed the way they are at the current rate, it won’t be long before it becomes a desert.

Both your competitors are political heavyweights. Do you consider it a challenge?

No, it is not. They are carrying a baggage. The India of 21st century doesn’t want this baggage. I have an honest, clean background so I am actually offering a fresh option to the 22 lakh voters here.

The constituency falls in Ahirwal region, and it is widely believed that caste plays a role in swinging votes here. Your views.

I don’t like these jargons. You’ll find a person from every part of the country in this constituency. I love diversity and for me these 22 lakh people represent India. In fact, not just India, the city sees global participation. I see Gurugram as a microcosm of planet Earth. We have had a long civilization where people have flourished together for ages. That’s the how I interpret this constituency.

You are a Meo Muslim candidate. Do you think that gives you an edge in Mewat?

I am presenting myself as a competent and honest candidate to represent all the 22 lakh people. This includes Mewat. I am appealing to people on the basis of my profile and not my faith. My faith never finds a mention in my campaign trail.

What, in your view, are the issues plaguing Gurugram?

I have spent my childhood here, and have seen this city evolve over the years. This is a city that has come up in a haphazard manner, mostly through the intervention of private companies and players. If you look around, there is no governance. The city is used as a cash cow by the state government but they do not reinvest or participate here. That is why the dichotomy: the city with largest number of corporate offices is also the most polluted city.

Mewat and Bawal and Rewari are neglected. They are suffering from farmers’ distress. This is what has happened due to poor governance.

What are your plans for Gurugram? How do you seek to change the state of affairs?

I will bring all stakeholders together. True democracy works when you involve people in governance. I want to involve citizens, voluntary organisations, and civil society. The CEOs want to contribute. They care. I want to make governance everyone’s business.

Environment is a burning issue. In Gurugram, even if you are not a smoker, you are smoking more than what a smoker is smoking. We have to make it a burning issue, and we will have a solution.

In education, we can learn from Delhi. We need to adopt the best practices, and get more parents participation.

Extortion is going on in both health and education. No one is talking about youth employment and farmers’ distress. We need sustainable farming practices. Most importantly, we need a balanced society where women participate. I am a very strong proponent of women’s participation. My campaign is being spearheaded by women.