I was denied a ticket by congress despite being a deserved candidate, Akalis did not call me to Maghi mela and Punjab jodo yata events.
I love politics to serve the people, not indulging into corruption.
Is there any leader in politics with a clean image?
Faridkot
When the BJP nominees are being protested by the farmers, Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu, former member of the Punjab Public Service Commission, Halqa in charge Kotkapura, who has not joined BJP said that it depends on person, his credentials and background whether people trust him or protest against him.
Raghbir Singh Brar, Senior correspondent of Punjab Tribune, had a candid talk with him over phone which drove him to shift parties, from Akali Dal to Congress and from congress to Akali Dal and BJP,calling a turncoat. Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu, answered all the questions very frankly. Excerpts:
PT: You were halqa in charge of congress party, then Joined Akali Dal and now when the people are protesting against the BJP, you have jumped the sinking ship of the BJP in Punjab ,why?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:Basically, we were Akalis. More than that, we belonged to Sardar Parkash Singh Badal. But our family also enjoyed a good relationship with captain Amarinder Singh as well. Captain Amarinder Singh took us to the congress. It was an exception in the country that serving chief minister of Punjab had visited our house in Muktsar to make us join the party.Otherwise, people go to Chandigarh to join the party, but it was a rare event that captain Amrinder Singh visited our house to join us into the party fold.
PT:Then why did you leave congress and again join SAD?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:After serving about four and half years into the party, I unfortunately met with a fatal accident. Parkash Singh Badal was alive then. He took a lot of care of me. In the meantime, congress gave a hard blow to Captain Amarinder Singh removing as chief minister.
Charanjeet Singh Channi was appointed the chief minister of Punjab. But my thinking did not match with his. I could not bow to anyone as being in politics is my passion.Then, despite serving about 54 months in the Kotkpaura assembly constituency as halqa incharge, I was denied the ticket.
PT:did you not come up to the criteria?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:No, actually, I was asked to pay some party funds for the ticket.
PT:Would you like to disclose more about it?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:No, not at all,I am just talking friendly to you. I had the money to pay, my family asked me to pay and get the ticket, but I refused. Why should I pay when I do not indulge in any malpractices and corruption, So I resigned from the party and joined SAD because of sardar Parkash Singh Badal.Even in Kotkapura, I got more work done by spurning a contractor smacking corruption if he was given the contract.
PT:Then why did you leave SAD?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:Parkash Singh Badal was a leader of different thought. His way of working was different. But after his sad demise, his legacy was carried no more, you now see the plight of the party.
PT:Specific reasons for saying goodbye to your mother party?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:There is a major Maghi Mela event Muktsar, which is a state level function. I have been in SAD for 30 months and on both the occasions of Maghi Mela events, I was not called to attend it,though It was just close to my house.
Apart from it, there was Punjab Jodo Yatra. I was not called for it as well though the event was held close to my house.
Actually, I dont bend and bow to anybody because I want to serve the state, the people and all the communities.You can not compare our family with any other political family. I have a clean image.This could be the reason behind my disliking in the party.
PT:How do you feel in the BJP now when it is at the receiving end in Punjab?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:I am fine. I go campaigning.Nobody stops me and protests against me.I am with time tested leaders like captain Amrinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar.People check your background and trust you. I also agreed with the policies of Narendra Modi ji.The Thursdays gathering in my house was the third one which was attended by more than 400 people.I had also invited Hans Raj Hans.
PT:Anything else to the people?
I would like to say that what you sow, so shall you reap.
I had served Kotkpaura constituency for about half and four years.The people prayed for me when it was met with a fatal accident and even I was blessed with a son due to the blessing of the almighty God and prayers of my people. Now I spend time with my family and am fully satisfied with my life.
PT:Any question to the protesting farmers unions?
Bhai Rahul Singh Sidhu:Rajasthan canal passes through Punjab. Its water was seeping into the ground, recharging the sub soil water. Now it has been relined with water proof walls and bed. Our sub soil water goes further low. We are having much less water than we used to have since partition, why do the farmers unions not take jup ,such issues?