Sporting green turbans and stoles, supporters of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) candidate Virender Rana chanted slogans as he led a roadshow from MDRL Chowk to Post Office Chowk in Sadar Bazar, on Thursday.
Perched atop an open jeep, the INLD candidate waved at the people on the streets as the cavalcade moved through the main roads of the city surrounded by a cheering crowd and showers of rose petals. Party workers and other local INLD leaders extended their support to Rana and garlanded him at various stops during the procession.
Rana, a businessman, said the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were crucial and were a chance for the people to vote out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Centre as it had “not lived up to the expectations of the people of Gurgaon parliamentary constituency”.
He further said he would address the people’s concern, which changed within the constituency as it comprises different districts of the state.
“Mewat, Ahirwal region, and Gurugram city are grappling with different issues. Mewat is only an hour-and-a-half away from the national Capital but is among the most backward districts of the country. Around 40,000 truck drivers have been rendered jobless due to the wrong policies adopted by the state government. Mewat needs a railway line, schools and colleges. Infrastructure is a big issue in the Ahirwal belt, while Gurugram is the most polluted city in the world. We will address all these issues,” Rana said, adding that he had received tremendous support from the people, and was hoping for the support to translate into votes on May 12.
{{/usCountry}}“Mewat, Ahirwal region, and Gurugram city are grappling with different issues. Mewat is only an hour-and-a-half away from the national Capital but is among the most backward districts of the country. Around 40,000 truck drivers have been rendered jobless due to the wrong policies adopted by the state government. Mewat needs a railway line, schools and colleges. Infrastructure is a big issue in the Ahirwal belt, while Gurugram is the most polluted city in the world. We will address all these issues,” Rana said, adding that he had received tremendous support from the people, and was hoping for the support to translate into votes on May 12.
{{/usCountry}}However, the reaction from the ground to INLD’s fate was mixed.
Aashu Kharbanda, 40, an insurance agent, who watched the cavalcade pass through MDRL Chowk was least impressed by the party.
“I don’t think the party will get many votes. The INLD couldn’t handle its own family. How will they look after the state or the country?” said
Kharbanda, alluding to the family feud and the eventual split in the INLD that led to the formation of fledgling Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).
A few metres away, near the Civil Hospital, 28-year-old Rohit Kushwaha, who runs a snack kiosk, said that while he was not fully aware of the candidates in the fray, he believed in the party. “The INLD did all the work for us. We benefited due the work done by former INLD MLAs. The party will work for the people,” said Kushwaha, as he carefully kept aside the INLD pamphlet he had received a while ago.