Rajya Sabha MP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa adopted Gulhari village of the district under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narender Modi on Wednesday.
The scheme was launched to develop at least one Adarsh village, but the motive seems to be political as the said village, which falls in the Lehragaga assembly segment, is represented by former chief minister and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
Having a population of 3300, the village is located at the Haryana boarder and is considered as a 'Punjab village with Haryanvi culture', as most of the people in the village belong to the Chaudhary (Jaat) community.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Dhindsa said, "though this area is very backward and needs a special attention, also the Chaudharies of this village had supported me in the last lok sabha elections, in which I won from the lehragaga assembly segment with 11500 votes"
On, whether you have plans to contest the coming assembly elections from Lehragaga assembly segment against Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Dhindsa said, "I have not chosen this village, to contest against Bhattal, but I have chosen this village, as a lot is need to be done in this village"
{{/usCountry}}On, whether you have plans to contest the coming assembly elections from Lehragaga assembly segment against Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Dhindsa said, "I have not chosen this village, to contest against Bhattal, but I have chosen this village, as a lot is need to be done in this village"
{{/usCountry}}About the priorities Dhindsa said, "we have prepared a list but first of all we will work to provide safe drinking water, sewerage, roads, up-gradation of school and stadium"
However, when contacted Bhattal has called Dhindsa's move as politically motivated saying, "Dhindsa ji should work to upgrade the villages of his own area (Sangrur). He has chosen the village from Lehragaga as he has failed to impress the people of his own constituency"
"Also the money they are spending under the model village scheme, was given by the past UPA government", she added.
The officers have been deputed to start work immediately to ensure the facilities to the villagers, as early as possible, he added.
Dhindsa also praised the initiative of the prime minister Narender Modi saying, "this is appreciable step taken by the Prime Minister, and it will help to upgrade the villages in the country, now I think the MLA's should also come forward and adopt a village from their assembly segments"