In repeat battle, candidates talk of restoring Faridabad's glory
Faridabad: It is the repeat of 2014 Lok Sabha election as BJP candidate Kishan Pal Gurjar is once again will be seen competing against Avatar Singh Bhadana from Congress.
In 2014, Gurjar won with the margin of 4.60 lakh votes, however, this time Bhadana who rejoined the Congress party feels that tides will turn against his rival. What has made the contest of Faridabad even more interesting is the entry of Naveen Jaihind, who will be fighting his second Lok Sabha election and Mandhir Maan of Bahujan Samaj Party, who is banking on a strong OBC vote.
Bhadana is raking up several local issues in the city that is plaguing the residents of Faridabad. Among the main issues that have been raised by Bhadana includes rising levels of air pollution in the city.
"Faridabad today is among the most polluted cities not only in the country but in the world. There has been no effort by the government to tackle this challenge. In fact the apathy of the state, as well as the central government, has resulted in the situation getting worse," says Bhadana.
Another issue raised by Bhadana is the increase in the number of cases of cancer from the Faridabad. It is important to note that in the official report submitted by the Haryana government in 2017 Faridabad topped in the number of deaths due to Cancer at 771.
"The Agra canal this is the main source of supply of water to Faridabad today is fully toxic. It is the consumption of this contaminated water that is making us sick with deadly diseases like cancer. We will try to deal with this challenge," said Bhadana.
The 61-year-old Congress Lok Sabha candidate added that Faridabad as a city was developed by the Congress party which made into the successful industrial zone. However, the apathy by the BJP government in the last five years ensure that the growth in the South Haryana Lok Sabha seat.
Admitting to the fact that Faridabad has lost to Gurugram and Noida due to the negligence of the previous governments, Kishan Pal Gurjar is vowing to bring the glory days of Faridabad back again.
Among his major achievements, Gujjar assets that in his tenure the connectivity of Faridabad was improved that spurred the industrial growth again.
He also highlighted that he had also worked towards improving the public health and education systems in the city. Gurjar assured that his priorities will be to complete all the pending projects which once completed will speed up the progress in Faridabad.
Naveen Jaihind of AAP who filed his nomination on April 23 is banking on the support of the middle class and the working class electorate.
On Wednesday, Naveen Jaihind approached the advocates of district courts of Faridabad and asked for their support in electing him to the parliament. Jaihind in 2014 had contested from Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency which is also his hometown. He lost to Deepinder Singh Hooda of Congress.
Founded in the 17th century by Sheik Farid, the treasurer of Mughal ruler Jehangir, Faridabad is a major industrial hub. It is the second most populated city after Gururgam. There are a total of 17 lakh voters.
The major segment of voters includes two lakh Gujjars, 2.8 lakh Jats. 1.5 lakh Meos and 4 lakh voters from SC/ST category.
Though Faridabad has bagged the smart city tag and Rs 400 crore funds, the work on the ground is moving at a snail's pace.
Critics, including MLAs from rival political parties, are vocal about his failures and inadequacies.
Out of the nine assembly segments in Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency, only three are represented by the ruling BJP legislators. Badkhal, Ballabhgarh and Faridabad are represented by BJP MLAs, Seema Trikha, Mool Chand, and Vipul Goel, respectively.
The rest six are represented by the INLD (Hathin and Faridabad NIT), the Congress (Palwal, Tigaon and Hodal) and the BSP (Prithla).
