E-Paper
MLA report card: Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur and NK Sharma
Hindustan Times takes a look at Punjab MLAs and their performance:
Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur,57,Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Ghanaur
Education: Class 12
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 1.6 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Congress candidate Madan Lal Jalalpur by 1,778 votes
2007: Her husband lost to independent candidate Madan lal Jalalpur by 732 votes
Assembly record
Questions asked: 41
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Related to Badal; family had power even after 2007 loss
What next SAD has given her ticket again from same seat
How she performed
Though she was a proxy candidate in 2012 for her husband, Ajaib Singh, who was ill at the time, she proved successful in creating her own place. She not only cracked her whip in the administration for party workers, but also actively participated in party programmes. She claims that Rs 60 crore have been injected in the last five years here. She counts a college, a railway overbridge, and boost to industry among achievements. Reality is underlined by the fact that Ghanaur does not have a proper bus stand. Most of the segment is in villages, where civic situation is deplorable. There were charges that she backed the mining mafia, and she was also accused of registration of false FIRs against rivals. Drug peddling is also a problem in area which is close to the border with Haryana.
Voter speak
Drinking water is a major problem. She has given funds but only to Akali-dominated areas. There is a need to upgrade primary health services. Roads also need repair.
Karamjit Singh, 32, shopkeeper
People are happy with her accessibility, and she also brought some development projects. But a lot remains to be done. There is a need to bring industry here for jobs.
Jasbir Singh, 34, businessman
By the way
Daughter married into Tohra clan that is now with AAP
NK Sharma, 47,Shiromani Akali Dal
Constituency: Dera Bassi
Education: Post-graduate
Assets declared in last polls: Rs 5.7 cr
Electoral record
2012: Defeated Deepinder Dhillon (independent) by 12,028 votes
2007: He did not contest; this seat came up later in delimitation
Assembly record
Questions asked: 0
Call attention moved: 0
Power punch Realty magnate and moneybags, close to the Sukhbir Badal
What next Has been again allotted the ticket in SAD first list
How he performed
A real estate developer, NK Sharma, who began his political career as sarpanch in 1998, is a cash bag of the party. Having worked with Capt Kanwaljit Singh who helped him become president of the municipal council, Sharma claims to have spent Rs 1,600 crore here. Every morning he meets people, and is regular at social functions. Even as a first-time MLA, he was made chief parliamentary secretary. He was the first Hindu candidate fielded here by the SAD. He lists the Dera Bassi flyover among his main works. Residents say ongoing construction makes life difficult. Slight rain leaves the area waterlogged, and jams on the highways passing through here are routine. To promote sports, he gave grants to panchayats. He has been using social media such as WhatsApp to connect with people.
Voter speak
The area needs better sewerage, but nothing was done to that end. Encroachments in the area are not being checked, thus turning Zirakpur, in particular, into an urban slum.
Kalpana, 32, housewife
Condition of roads to villages needs to be improved. The Dera Bassi flyover and causeway on the Ghaggar bridge have eased commuting. Our MLA has also improved sports infrastructure.
Sonu Rai, 19, student
By the way
Has a masters in mathematics from HPU, Shimla
Tomorrow: Patiala (Urban), Sanaur, Samana
